Paralegal and Legal Assistant Salary in Chicago, IL
Paralegals and Legal Assistants in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $70,550 a year — 12% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $55,114 take-home, or $4,593 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median paralegal and legal assistant salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,691
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,374
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,023
- Illinois income tax$3,347
- Take-home pay$55,114
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Paralegal and Legal Assistant pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,160 | $24.12 | $40,145 | $3,345 |
| 25th percentile | $58,740 | $28.24 | $46,615 | $3,885 |
| Median (50th) | $70,550 | $33.92 | $55,114 | $4,593 |
| 75th percentile | $85,040 | $40.88 | $64,591 | $5,383 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,040 | $50.98 | $78,325 | $6,527 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $70,550 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median paralegal and legal assistant's $55,114 take-home pay has the buying power of $53,202 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.02).
Best-paying cities for paralegals and legal assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #16 of 36 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $92,900 | $74,185 | $66,753 |
| 2 | Denver, CO | $80,500 | $62,628 | $59,205 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $81,590 | $62,262 | $57,182 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $79,850 | $61,232 | $56,557 |
| 5 | Sacramento, CA | $78,550 | $59,993 | $56,242 |
| 6 | Minneapolis, MN | $76,220 | $58,791 | $56,087 |
| 7 | Las Vegas, NV | $66,720 | $55,768 | $55,648 |
| 8 | Kansas City, MO | $63,880 | $51,443 | $55,588 |
| 16 | Chicago, IL | $70,550 | $55,114 | $53,202 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 36 metros →
About the job: paralegals and legal assistants
Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -0.3% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a paralegal and legal assistant make in Chicago, IL?
The median paralegal and legal assistant salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $70,550 a year, or about $33.92 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $58,740 and $85,040.
What is a paralegal and legal assistant’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $70,550 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $55,114 a year ($4,593 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,347 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a paralegal and legal assistant?
Pay here is 12% above the national median of $62,890. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $53,202 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #16 of 36 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a paralegal and legal assistant afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 33% of a median paralegal and legal assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- Lawyer — $165,660