Lawyer Salary in Bloomington, IL: $129,933 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Bloomington, IL earns a median $129,933/year (≈ $62.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Bloomington's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.5), that paycheck buys what $138,911 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, lawyers in Bloomington, Illinois, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $129,933, reflecting a notable contrast with the national median of $167,174. The salary range for this profession in the city varies widely, from $40,498 at the lowest end to an impressive $295,966 for those reaching the highest percentiles. Such figures arise from analyses based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and represent the influence of law firm structures on compensation. Those navigating roles in BigLaw firms might find themselves in a higher earning tier, reflecting the high-stakes environment and extensive work hours, while mid-market and small firms offer more modest salaries, typically ranging from $80,000 to $160,000, thereby shaping the lawyer salary in Bloomington and impacting career decisions accordingly.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,498 | $19.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,174 | $39.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,933 | $62.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $180,953 | $87.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $295,966 | $142.30 |
Median Salary Position
22.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bloomington
In Bloomington, IL, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $255,468 (2026 est.). At $129,933, the local median is 22.28% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bloomington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bloomington Lawyer Pay Compares
Bloomington median: $129,933/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bloomington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $132,992 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -22.28% less |
Lawyers in Bloomington, IL earn a median of $129,933 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.28% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 2.30% below the Illinois state average of $132,992.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bloomington has a cost of living 6.46% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bloomington, IL has a cost-of-living index of 93.537 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $129,933 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,911 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.91% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,990
2025 BLS Actual
$124,100
2026 Current Est.
$129,933
2019–2027 Growth
+70.1%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Bloomington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,190 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $135,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $106,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,100 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,933 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,040 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bloomington metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 55.1% from $79,990 (2019) to $124,100 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,040 by 2027 — a total increase of $56,050 (70.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bloomington 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $40,498 – $83,174 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,174 – $129,933 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,933 – $180,953 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $180,953 – $295,966 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Bloomington
The local legal job market is stable, with approximately 530 lawyers currently employed in Bloomington, revealing a relatively modest supply of legal professionals for a community of its size. With a cost-of-living index of 93.537, the financial realities for lawyers in this region mean that take-home purchasing power is somewhat favorable compared to the national average. The highest-paying employers in Bloomington include mid-size and regional firms, along with certain governmental positions. Factors contributing to the income disparity among lawyers include the distinction between public and private sector roles, the tier of the law firm, and the associated demands of billable hour expectations ranging from 1,800 to 2,400 hours annually. For legal professionals seeking to maximize their earnings in Bloomington IL, focusing on further specialization, gaining experience, and considering partnerships in higher-paying firms can yield significant benefits in terms of both salary and career advancement.
More salary data for Bloomington, 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $124,100 for lawyersin the Bloomington metropolitan area. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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