SOC 23-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Paralegals and Legal Assistants — South Illinois
South Illinois nonmetropolitan area · 7 metro areas compared
The median wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in South Illinois, IL is $49,170 per year, 21.8% below the national median of $62,890.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in South Illinois, IL is $49,170 per year, 21.8% below the national median of $62,890. Pay ranges from under $36,130 at the tenth percentile to more than $77,440 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $38,650 to $59,070.
Chicago leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $70,550. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 223rd of 372 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,130 | −42.6% |
| 25th | $38,650 | −38.5% |
| Median (50th) | $49,170 | −21.8% |
| 75th | $59,070 | −6.1% |
| 90th | $77,440 | +23.1% |
| Mean | $53,900 | −14.3% |
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 South Illinois sit close to the national average, so $49,170 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$49,170as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$49,170US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $49,170 a year, 21.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,130 to $77,440 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- 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 South Illinois, IL?
The median annual wage is $49,170, or $23.64 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 South Illinois, IL is 21.8% 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 South Illinois, IL earns more than $77,440 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,130 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.
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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