Lawyer Salary in Illinois: $169,968 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Illinois's 65 metropolitan areas, the average median lawyer pay sits at $169,968/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 23-1011. Because Illinois sits at BEA RPP 97.1 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $175,044 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Naperville ($167,389), Chicago ($165,660), Elgin ($164,182).
The legal profession in Illinois is projected to be favorable in 2026, with an average median salary of $169,968, which is slightly above the national median of $167,174, reflecting a 1.7% premium. The highest paying city in the state is Naperville, with salaries averaging $175,256, while Decatur offers the lowest at $105,527. This significant salary gap, approximately $69,729, is largely influenced by the local economy, demand for legal services, and the concentration of law firms in metropolitan areas, which typically pay higher wages. Illinois requires lawyers to adhere to specific licensing requirements and practice laws, which can influence job opportunities and salary levels. Key factors driving demand for legal professionals include a growing population, an expanding business landscape, and an increasing complexity of regulations that require legal expertise. With a total of 31,261 lawyers employed in the state, the job market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 4.70%. Major cities like Chicago, Elgin, and Peoria also offer competitive salaries, projected at $173,446, $171,899, and $168,724, respectively. This positive outlook in Illinois indicates a healthy demand for legal professionals across various sectors, making it an advantageous environment for aspiring lawyers.
Illinois Lawyer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Illinois: $40,498 (lowest entry-level) to $346,704 (highest top earner)
Illinois vs National Average
Illinois lawyers earn 1.67% more than the national median (+$2,794/year difference).
Illinois Lawyer Salary Distribution (2026)
Lawyer salaries in Illinois range from $89,402 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $338,599 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $169,968. The Illinois median is $2,794 above the US national median of $167,174. The average hourly rate is $81.71/hr. Approximately 31,261 lawyers are employed across 65 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$132,800
2025 BLS Actual
$162,338
2026 Current Est.
$169,968
2019–2027 Growth
+34.0%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Illinois (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $132,800 | Actual |
| 2020 | $128,812 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,901 | Actual |
| 2022 | $134,129 | Actual |
| 2023 | $162,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $162,647 | Actual |
| 2025 | $162,338 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $169,968 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $177,956 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Illinois metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 22.2% from $132,800 (2019) to $162,338 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $177,956 by 2027 — a total increase of $45,156 (34.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Illinois 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Illinois
Lowest Paying Cities in Illinois
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Decatur | $105,527 |
| Rockford | $108,040 |
| Kankakee | $112,060 |
| Carbondale | $124,590 |
| Elmhurst | $125,831 |
Best Value Cities for Lawyers in Illinois
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Illinois cities offer the most purchasing power for lawyers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peoria | $168,724 | 91.231 | $184,942 |
| Naperville | $175,256 | 97.1 | $180,490 |
| Elgin | $171,899 | 97.1 | $177,033 |
| Chicago | $173,446 | 103.595 | $167,427 |
| Springfield | $137,576 | 92.745 | $148,338 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Illinois
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $89,402 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $169,968 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $338,599 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Illinois metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 65 Cities in Illinois
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naperville | $175,256 |
| 2 | Chicago | $173,446 |
| 3 | Elgin | $171,899 |
| 4 | Peoria | $168,724 |
| 5 | Springfield | $137,576 |
| 6 | Champaign | $136,100 |
| 7 | Urbana | $135,604 |
| 8 | Orland Park | $134,872 |
| 9 | Bolingbrook | $134,293 |
| 10 | Palatine | $133,282 |
| 11 | Waukegan | $133,209 |
| 12 | Moline | $133,034 |
| 13 | Mount Prospect | $132,955 |
| 14 | Hoffman Estates | $132,523 |
| 15 | Evanston | $132,271 |
| 16 | Joliet | $132,159 |
| 17 | Oak Park | $132,050 |
| 18 | Danville | $131,776 |
| 19 | Addison | $131,498 |
| 20 | Berwyn | $131,438 |
| 21 | Aurora | $131,353 |
| 22 | Tinley Park | $131,333 |
| 23 | Northbrook | $131,199 |
| 24 | St. Charles | $131,116 |
| 25 | Gurnee | $131,084 |
| 26 | Rock Island | $130,974 |
| 27 | Arlington Heights | $130,901 |
| 28 | Wheaton | $130,733 |
| 29 | Woodridge | $130,693 |
| 30 | Schaumburg | $130,627 |
| 31 | Buffalo Grove | $130,589 |
| 32 | Bartlett | $130,579 |
| 33 | Lake in the Hills | $130,094 |
| 34 | Collinsville | $130,073 |
| 35 | Skokie | $130,037 |
| 36 | Bloomington | $129,933 |
| 37 | Wheeling | $129,846 |
| 38 | Carpentersville | $129,701 |
| 39 | Oak Lawn | $129,615 |
| 40 | O'Fallon | $129,588 |
| 41 | Quincy | $129,083 |
| 42 | Algonquin | $129,083 |
| 43 | Carol Stream | $128,968 |
| 44 | Normal | $128,963 |
| 45 | Lombard | $128,887 |
| 46 | Cicero | $128,752 |
| 47 | Plainfield | $128,618 |
| 48 | Des Plaines | $128,594 |
| 49 | Oswego | $128,101 |
| 50 | DeKalb | $127,999 |
| 51 | Park Ridge | $127,895 |
| 52 | Hanover Park | $127,844 |
| 53 | Glenview | $127,833 |
| 54 | Romeoville | $127,317 |
| 55 | Streamwood | $127,141 |
| 56 | Downers Grove | $126,905 |
| 57 | Belleville | $126,873 |
| 58 | Crystal Lake | $126,667 |
| 59 | Galesburg | $126,182 |
| 60 | Calumet City | $126,140 |
| 61 | Elmhurst | $125,831 |
| 62 | Carbondale | $124,590 |
| 63 | Kankakee | $112,060 |
| 64 | Rockford | $108,040 |
| 65 | Decatur | $105,527 |
More Illinois Salary Data
Compare Cities in Illinois
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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
Statewide 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. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 lawyer compensation across Illinois. State averages are employment-weighted across 65 metro areas — larger metro areas with more lawyerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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