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verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Lawyer Salary in Illinois

Median Annual in Illinois
$160,800/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$77.31/hr
▲ 1% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Illinois

groups Employed in IL
33,590
public U.S. Median
$159,670
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$160,868 #9 of 51

Lawyer pay in Illinois, explained

Lawyers in Illinois earn a median of $160,800 per year ($77.31 per hour), which is 1% above the national median of $159,670. Entry-level workers earn around $82,160, while the most experienced lawyers reach about $330,200. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Illinois.

Is $160,800 good pay in Illinois?

Adjusted for Illinois's cost of living (which runs 100% of the U.S. average), that $160,800 is worth about $160,868 in national buying power — ranking Illinois #9 for real pay (vs #10 on the sticker number).

See the full Lawyer Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Lawyer pay by experience in Illinois

Entry level (10th pct)
$82,160
$39.50/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$160,800
$77.31/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$330,200
$158.75/hr

Lawyer pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs IL
Illinois (here) $160,800 $160,868 —
Missouri $133,450 $146,944 +$27,350
Indiana $126,860 $135,928 +$33,940
Wisconsin $126,760 $134,715 +$34,040
Iowa $123,550 $140,778 +$37,250
Kentucky $101,550 $112,634 +$59,250

Lawyer in Illinois: FAQ

How much do lawyers make in Illinois?

Lawyers in Illinois earn a median of $160,800 per year ($77.31 per hour), compared with $159,670 nationally.

Does Illinois pay lawyers well?

At $160,800, Illinois pays 1% above the national median for lawyers. An estimated 33,590 work in the state.

Lawyer salary in other states

New York · $207,860 District of Columbia · $195,190 California · $195,080 Massachusetts · $176,680 Delaware · $173,510 Colorado · $168,520 Virginia · $167,210 Connecticut · $163,600 New Jersey · $161,430 Pennsylvania · $157,180 Minnesota · $155,140 Texas · $154,200

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

Related careers in Illinois

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