Paralegal salary in Chicago, IL
Based on 23 certified H-1B filings in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Des Plaines, Naperville, Downers Grove, Glen Ellyn, Hammond.
Also listed as: Legal Assistant, Legal Analyst
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $47,422 |
| 25th | $55,786 |
| 50th (median) | $70,350 |
| 75th | $79,527 |
| 90th | $84,053 |
Cost of living
Chicago's median Paralegal salary of $70,350 is worth about $67,900 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Chicago = 103.6).
Compared with all workers here
All Paralegals and Legal Assistants in the Chicago, IL area earned a median of $70,550 in May 2025 (11,590 employed). The H-1B median here is $70,350, 0% lower.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Top employers filing
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Elman Law Group | too few | 5 |
| Childrens Legal Center | too few | 2 |
| Lex Veritas | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | too few | 4 |
| Mid-level · Level II | – | 0 |
| Senior · Level III | too few | 2 |
| Expert · Level IV | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.