Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary in Northwest Illinois

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $42,790 -29.9% vs national
Median hourly $20.57
10th percentile $35,840
90th percentile $69,720
Employed locally 100
National median $61,010

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Paralegals and Legal Assistants
in
Northwest Illinois
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,840
    25th
    $39,520
    50th (median)
    $42,790
    75th
    $57,470
    90th
    $69,720

    Top-paying metros for Paralegals and Legal Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $99,300
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $97,740
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $85,230
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $84,950
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $80,550
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $79,240

    Related occupations in Northwest Illinois

    OccupationMedian salary
    Lawyers$81,880
    Legal Support Workers, All Other$51,240

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Paralegals and Legal Assistants make per hour in Northwest Illinois?

    The median hourly wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Northwest Illinois is $20.57, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $35.19 or more per hour.

    Is Northwest Illinois above or below average for Paralegals and Legal Assistants salaries?

    The median Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in Northwest Illinois is 29.9% below the national median of $61,010. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Northwest Illinois?

    Entry-level Paralegals and Legal Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $35,840 per year in Northwest Illinois. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $39,520.