Lawyer Salary in Urbana, IL: $135,604 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Urbana, IL earns a median $135,604/year (≈ $65.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Urbana's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $139,654 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median compensation of $135,604 for lawyers in Urbana, Illinois, the local legal market offers competitive remuneration relative to its regional characteristics. The salary range spans from $78,651 for the lowest earners (P10) to $210,186 for those at the top (P90), indicating a diverse spectrum of earnings based on experience, firm size, and specialization. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data, reflect localized economic conditions and adjustments to reflect the cost of living in Urbana, which is slightly below the national average, scoring a cost of living index of 97.1. As law firms in the area often aim to meet billable hour expectations, the potential for effective hourly compensation becomes tied to how well individual attorneys can leverage their experience and skill set.
About the Urbana Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($165,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,651 | $37.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,635 | $46.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,604 | $65.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $173,574 | $83.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $210,186 | $101.05 |
Median Salary Position
18.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urbana
In Urbana, IL, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $131,535 (2026 est.). At $135,604, the local median is 18.88% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Urbana: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Urbana Lawyer Pay Compares
Urbana median: $135,604/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urbana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $133,076 | +1.90% more |
| National Average | $167,174 | -18.88% less |
Lawyers in Urbana, IL earn a median of $135,604 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.88% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 1.90% above the Illinois state average of $133,076.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urbana has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Urbana, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $135,604 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,654 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,740
2025 BLS Actual
$129,517
2026 Current Est.
$135,604
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Urbana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,106 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,234 | Actual |
| 2024 | $154,843 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,517 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,604 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,978 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urbana metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $99,740 (2019) to $129,517 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,978 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,238 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urbana 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) | $78,651 – $97,635 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,635 – $135,604 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,604 – $173,574 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $173,574 – $210,186 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Urbana
Despite the modest number of legal professionals—only six lawyers are employed in Urbana—the local market remains resilient. The cost of living factored with the median salary translates to reasonable purchasing power for residents. Work opportunities span various sectors, but larger firms generally command higher pay, typically reserved for practitioners in BigLaw. However, many find successful careers in mid-sized firms or as in-house counsel, where a more supportive work-life balance compensates for lower salaries compared to larger outfits. Variance in pay can be largely attributed to firm tier and location, firm culture regarding billable hours, partnership opportunities, and the public versus private sector divide. Aspiring lawyers are advised to focus on building a versatile practice, possibly exploring in-house positions or specialized law that could enhance their value in a competitive job market.
More salary data for Urbana, 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 $129,517 for lawyersin the Urbana 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
Salary data for Urbana 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