Entry-Level Lawyer Salary in Quincy, IL: $74,868 (2026)
Quick Answer:New lawyers entering the Quincy, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $74,868 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 23-1011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Quincy's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $77,104 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($129,083) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For law graduates entering the workforce in Quincy, Illinois, the entry-level lawyer salary in 2026 is projected to begin at around $74,868. This reflects a considerable gap from the city's median annual salary of $129,083, illustrating that newcomers should have realistic expectations about their earning potential. Entry-level salaries can grow significantly, with the P25 at $92,939 suggesting that a few years into their careers, lawyers can approach salary figures closer to the median. Given the city's cost of living index of 97.1, Quincy is currently a viable market for new law graduates. They can expect not only to secure positions but also opportunities to grow their earnings in a supportive legal environment over the initial years of their careers.
About the Quincy Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($165,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Quincy
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Quincy
Entry-level lawyers in Quincy, IL typically start between $74,868 and $92,939 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $125,210 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $129,083 — 22.79% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average legal practice program cost in Illinois of $245,000 represents just 327.24% of the starting lawyer pay ($74,868/year) in Quincy. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates reflect combined undergraduate tuition plus ABA-accredited law school tuition. Costs vary significantly between public in-state, public out-of-state, and private law schools. Figures exclude living expenses and bar exam costs.
Esq Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Quincy
- 1Research the Quincy market: entry-level lawyer pay ranges from $74,868 to $92,939, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the legal practice field — employers in IL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Quincy, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Quincy for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Quincy's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Lawyer Compensation Range
The lawyer wage spread in Quincy is $125,210 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $74,868, experienced hygienists can earn up to $200,078.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,452
2025 BLS Actual
$71,507
2026 Current Est.
$74,868
2019–2027 Growth
+44.0%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Quincy (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,452 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,112 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,657 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,659 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,177 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,507 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,868 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,387 | Projected |
Entry-level lawyer compensation (10th percentile) in Quincy, IL grew 31.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $54,452 in 2019 to $71,507 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $78,387. New graduates entering the Quincy job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Quincy metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your legal practice Career in Quincy
In Quincy, several key employers actively recruit new law graduates. Larger law firms may conduct on-campus interviews, targeting candidates from well-known law schools for first-year roles, while mid-sized regional firms often create opportunities through structured summer associate programs. Moreover, governmental agencies and public interest organizations tend to offer entry-level positions through recognized honors programs that appeal to new graduates seeking security and benefits. To enhance their prospects, newly minted lawyers should consider obtaining a JD from an ABA-accredited law school, passing the state bar exam, and completing the necessary character and fitness review. Those interested in specialized fields might pursue LL.M. degrees or sit for the patent bar, which can further boost their starting salaries. New lawyers can expect their pay to increase gradually over the first three years, particularly if they align their career strategies with the demands of the legal market, which can vary significantly in salary based on the chosen sector. Diversifying experiences through internships or clerkships can also be a strong strategy for bolstering early-career progression in Illinois.
More salary data for Quincy, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new legal practice graduates. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Quincy. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Quincy is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for lawyers (SOC 23-1011).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov