SOC 23-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Paralegals and Legal Assistants — Northwest Illinois
Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area · 7 metro areas compared
At $43,960, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Paralegals and Legal Assistants, 30.1% beneath the national figure of $62,890.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $43,960, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Paralegals and Legal Assistants, 30.1% beneath the national figure of $62,890. Pay ranges from under $40,420 at the tenth percentile to more than $73,200 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $41,050 to $62,070.
The area has 140 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.45 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Chicago records the highest median at $70,550. Of the 326 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 238th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,420 | −35.7% |
| 25th | $41,050 | −34.7% |
| Median (50th) | $43,960 | −30.1% |
| 75th | $62,070 | −1.3% |
| 90th | $73,200 | +16.4% |
| Mean | $52,350 | −16.8% |
Other metro areas in Illinois
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago | $70,550 | 11,590 | |
| 2 | Peoria | $61,220 | 370 | |
| 3 | Bloomington | $60,160 | 260 | |
| 4 | Springfield | $59,990 | 230 | |
| 5 | Rockford | $59,700 | 200 | |
| 6 | Decatur | $59,690 | 30 | |
| 7 | Champaign | $58,580 | 100 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northwest Illinois sit close to the national average, so $43,960 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$43,960as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$43,960US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $43,960 a year, 30.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $40,420 to $73,200 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 140 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Chicago, at $70,550.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Northwest Illinois, IL?
The median annual wage is $43,960, or $21.14 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $62,890, so pay in Northwest Illinois, IL is 30.1% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Northwest Illinois, IL earns more than $73,200 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $40,420 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Chicago, at $70,550 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 140 jobs in this occupation in Northwest Illinois, IL. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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