Lawyer Hourly Pay in Waukegan, IL: $64.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Waukegan, IL runs $64.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $133,209 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Waukegan's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $65.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,928 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waukegan, Illinois, the lawyer hourly pay is projected to average $64.04 in 2026, which falls significantly below the national median of $80.37 per hour. This disparity may affect those working part-time or on a per-diem basis, as the local market offers various legal environments, including law firms, courtrooms, and corporate legal departments. For example, a lawyer working three days a week might earn around $1,539 per week. Within Waukegan, entry-level attorneys can expect to earn as little as $37.15 per hour, while seasoned professionals working at the upper end of the spectrum could command as much as $99.27 per hour. These figures reflect the broader hourly range and underscore the variations obtainable within the profession, all estimated from projections based on 2025 BLS data.
About the Waukegan 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) | $37.15 | $297.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.11 | $368.88 |
| Median (P50) | $64.04 | $512.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.97 | $655.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99.27 | $794.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waukegan
Based on $64.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.04/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waukegan, IL can expect to earn approximately $133,214 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,854. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waukegan.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waukegan
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,561.80 | $11,101 | $133,214 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,537.08 | $6,661 | $79,928 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,024.72 | $4,440 | $53,285 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Waukegan) | $64.04 |
| 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 Waukegan, IL earn a median of $133,209 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.32% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 0.10% above the Illinois state average of $133,076.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.04/hr = $79,928/year (purchasing power: $82,315).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $133,214/year (purchasing power: $137,192).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$47.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Waukegan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $52.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $55.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $77.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Waukegan grew 29.9% from $47.11/hr (2019) to $61.17/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.06/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 Waukegan 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 Waukegan
Considering the nuances of earning potential, a part-time lawyer working for three days a week would take home an annual amount that is significantly lower than their full-time counterparts, identifying a crucial distinction in earning trajectories within the legal profession. For instance, per diem lawyers generally range from $25 to $50 per hour for routine document reviews, while more experienced contract attorneys can fetch $200 to $500 per hour in established agreements. The rate for expert witness or consulting work could reach $400 to $800 per hour, highlighting a premium for specialized knowledge. Hourly rates vary by employer type in Waukegan: from BigLaw firms, where salaries may lean toward the higher end, to public sector roles, which often provide lower compensation but may include benefits such as health insurance. Legal practitioners should weigh these factors when negotiating pay, considering the balance of hourly earnings against job stability and benefits, especially as they navigate unique opportunities in Waukegan's diverse legal market.
More salary data for Waukegan, 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 Waukegan. 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 Waukegan 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