Illinois ranks 10th of 50 states and D.C. for lawyers pay, trailing top-paying California ($197,790) by $40,470 — a 26% gap.
Illinois employs roughly 4.5% of all lawyers in the country (33,430 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $73,500 | $35.34 |
| 25th percentile | $101,050 | $48.58 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $157,320 | $75.63 |
| 75th percentile | $218,090 | $104.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (average) | $177,740 | $85.45 |
How Illinois Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois (current) | $157,320 | n/a |
| California | $197,790 | +26% |
| District of Columbia | $191,880 | +22% |
| Massachusetts | $179,050 | +14% |
| New York | $177,210 | +13% |
| Delaware | $172,710 | +10% |
| Colorado | $167,970 | +7% |
| Connecticut | $159,240 | +1% |
| New Jersey | $158,470 | +1% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Illinois
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $157,480 | 9,030 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $158,690 | 3,100 |
| Financial Managers | $159,990 | 53,400 |
| Marketing Managers | $154,480 | 21,670 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $165,720 | 27,550 |
| Sales Managers | $142,170 | 31,160 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Lawyers salary in Illinois?
The mean lawyers salary in Illinois is $177,740 per year. The median (middle) salary is $157,320 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Lawyers in Illinois?
Entry-level lawyerss (10th percentile) in Illinois typically earn around $73,500 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $101,050 per year.
What is the highest Lawyers salary in Illinois?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Illinois make approximately N/A per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $218,090 per year.
How does the Illinois Lawyers salary compare to the national average?
The median lawyers salary in Illinois is $157,320, which is +4% above national average of $151,160.