Lawyer Salary in Chicago, IL
Updated
The median lawyer in the Chicago area earns $165,660 a year ($79.64 an hour), 4% above the U.S. median ($159,670) and 3% above the Illinois median ($160,800). Half of the 28,320 lawyers there earn between $106,980 and $232,270.
| Annual pay | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $87,070 | $82,160 | $78,360 |
| 25th percentile | $106,980 | $103,020 | $102,990 |
| Median | $165,660 | $160,800 | $159,670 |
| 75th percentile | $232,270 | $224,450 | $221,370 |
| 90th percentile | $331,140 | $330,200 | $351,600 |
| Average | $187,420 | $181,240 | $185,840 |
| Jobs | 28,320 | 33,590 | 754,500 |
Chicago, IL ranks 13th for lawyer pay among the 48 of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas where it is published. Highest: San Jose, CA ($301,320).
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Check my payLawyer pay in other cities
- San Jose, CA: $301,320
- San Francisco, CA: $212,500
- New York, NY: $208,880
- Washington, DC: $195,190
- Los Angeles, CA: $194,410
- Boston, MA: $183,350
- Sacramento, CA: $178,540
- San Diego, CA: $178,220
- All cities
Similar jobs in Chicago, IL
- Paralegal: $70,550
- All jobs in Chicago, IL
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, published May 15, 2026
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, www.bls.gov/oes. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.