Lawyer Hourly Pay in Cicero, IL: $61.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Cicero, IL runs $61.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $128,752 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Cicero's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $63.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $77,250 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Cicero, Illinois, presents a distinct hourly pay landscape for lawyers, with a median rate of $61.90, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $80.37. This figure holds significant implications for those considering part-time or per-diem arrangements, as a lawyer working three days a week would average about 24 hours, allowing them to sustain a manageable work-life balance while still earning a decent wage. Entry-level positions may start around $35.90, while experienced professionals can reach upwards of $95.95 per hour, showcasing a range tailored to various experience levels and specialties in settings including law firms and corporate legal departments. The hourly rates estimated from annual data underscore the dynamics at play in Cicero's legal market.
About the Cicero Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($165,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.90 | $287.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44.57 | $356.57 |
| Median (P50) | $61.90 | $495.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79.24 | $633.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95.95 | $767.58 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cicero
Based on $61.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.90/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cicero, IL can expect to earn approximately $128,749 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,278. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cicero.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cicero
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,475.95 | $10,729 | $128,749 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,485.57 | $6,437 | $77,250 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $990.38 | $4,292 | $51,500 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Cicero) | $61.90 |
| Paralegal (National Avg) | $29.95 |
| Judge / Magistrate (National Avg) | $68.41 |
| Arbitrator / Mediator (National Avg) | $38.60 |
| Court Reporter (National Avg) | $30.10 |
Lawyers in Cicero, IL earn a median of $128,752 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.98% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 3.20% below the Illinois state average of $133,008.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.90/hr = $77,250/year (purchasing power: $79,557).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $128,749/year (purchasing power: $132,594).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$45.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Cicero (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $47.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $50.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $53.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $74.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Cicero grew 29.9% from $45.53/hr (2019) to $59.12/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $64.81/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem lawyers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cicero 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.
Working as an Hourly Lawyer in Cicero
For part-time attorneys in Cicero, taking on a 3-day work schedule translates to a considerably different annual income compared to full-time counterparts. While a full-time lawyer might see robust earnings, part-timers must also factor in potential benefits that full-time positions typically provide, like health insurance, which can become a pivotal consideration in compensation negotiations. Conversely, per diem or contract roles can vary significantly; positions such as document review might offer $25-$50 per hour, whereas more experienced contract attorneys can bill at rates from $200 to $500 per hour depending on their background and the complexity of the work. Legal salaries also diverge by employer type: BigLaw firms often pay above the median, but they come with exhaustive billable hour requirements, while smaller firms and government positions might offer less upfront pay, but better work-life balance and job security. Lawyers in Cicero should approach salary negotiations with clear expectations and an understanding of how their role aligns with local market trends, balancing immediate earnings against long-term career satisfaction.
More salary data for Cicero, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for lawyers in Cicero. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cicero 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