Lawyer Salary

Berwyn vs Peoria: Lawyer Salary (2026)

Compare lawyer salaries between Berwyn, IL and Peoria, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Berwyn, IL
$131,438
$63.19/hr
Peoria, IL
$168,724
$81.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBerwyn, ILPeoria, IL
Median Salary$131,438$168,724
Hourly Rate$63.19$81.12
Entry Level (P10)$76,234$82,985
25th Percentile$94,635$104,428
75th Percentile$168,241$217,577
Top Earner (P90)$203,729$307,755
Total Employed12560
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Berwyn ($131,438) and Peoria ($168,724) lawyer salaries.BerwynPeoriaMedian Salary$131,438$168,724Entry Level (P10)$76,234$82,985Top Earner (P90)$203,729$307,755US Median $167,174

Verdict

Peoria, IL offers better overall compensation for lawyers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Berwyn.

The salary gap between Berwyn and Peoria is $37,286 (28.37%). Peoria's median is +0.93% compared to the US national median of $167,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Berwyn spans $127,495,Peoria spans $224,770. Peoria has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced lawyers.

Berwyn
P10 (Entry)$76,234
P25$94,635
Median$131,438
P75$168,241
P90 (Top)$203,729
Peoria
P10 (Entry)$82,985
P25$104,428
Median$168,724
P75$217,577
P90 (Top)$307,755

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Peoria ($184,942 effective) pays 36.63% more than Berwyn ($135,364 effective).

Berwyn
Nominal: $131,438
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $135,364
Peoria
Nominal: $168,724
CoL Index: 91.231
Adjusted: $184,942

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Berwyn if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Peoria if…

  • Higher median salary ($168,724/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($307,755)
  • Larger job market (560 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $184,942)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, lawyer salaries in Berwyn grew -20.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 37.4% growth in Peoria over the same period.

Berwyn, IL

+-20.7%

$158,315 (2024) → $125,538 (2025)

Peoria, IL

+37.4%

$117,310 (2019) → $161,150 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays lawyers more: Berwyn or Peoria?

Peoria has a higher median lawyer salary at $168,724/year, compared to Berwyn at $131,438/year — a difference of $37,286 (28.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Berwyn and Peoria?

Berwyn lawyers earn $63.19/hr while Peoria hygienists earn $81.12/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Berwyn to Peoria as a lawyer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Berwyn and Peoria. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Berwyn = $135,364, Peoria = $184,942), job availability (12 vs 560 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level lawyers earn in Berwyn vs Peoria?

Entry-level (10th percentile) lawyers earn $76,234 in Berwyn and $82,985 in Peoria. The Peoria area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AC

Written by Alexandra Chen, JD

Career Analyst

Alexandra has 10 years of experience in corporate law. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions. Alexandra works at a mid-sized law firm in New York City.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Martinez, JDData verified by Priya Patel, JD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.70% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov