Occupation is in demand.
Wages vary by the paralegal's education, training, and experience. In general, the more education and training paralegals have, the higher their wages. The type and size of the employer and the area of the country also affect wages. Those who work for large firms in large cities generally earn the highest wages.
Many paralegals also receive bonuses when cases are successful or the firm has shown a profit that year.
Paralegals who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance. Some paralegals also receive a retirement plan.
Paralegals and legal assistants (SOC 23-2011)
| Location |
Pay Period | |
||
| 25% |
Median |
75% |
||
| Illinois | Hourly | $27.76 | $31.47 | $40.51 |
| Yearly | $57,732 | $65,452 | $84,265 | |
| Champaign Area | Hourly | $23.43 | $28.82 | $38.05 |
| Yearly | $48,737 | $59,956 | $79,132 | |
| Charleston-Effingham-Centralia Area | Hourly | $21.47 | $27.53 | $31.60 |
| Yearly | $44,669 | $57,254 | $65,735 | |
| Cook County | Hourly | $29.29 | $35.66 | $42.38 |
| Yearly | $60,918 | $74,183 | $88,161 | |
| Decatur Area | Hourly | $23.65 | $29.50 | $36.73 |
| Yearly | $49,209 | $61,365 | $76,407 | |
| Dekalb-Elgin-Aurora Area | Hourly | $25.12 | $30.08 | $36.59 |
| Yearly | $52,255 | $62,568 | $76,105 | |
| Du Page County | Hourly | $29.22 | $34.87 | $45.71 |
| Yearly | $60,776 | $72,528 | $95,082 | |
| Edwardsville Area | Hourly | $23.02 | $29.00 | $36.69 |
| Yearly | $47,873 | $60,316 | $76,303 | |
| Jacksonville-Carlinville-Litchfield Area | Hourly | $21.62 | $23.29 | $29.75 |
| Yearly | $44,973 | $48,459 | $61,879 | |
| Kankakee-Morris-Pontiac Area | Hourly | $23.81 | $28.53 | $31.18 |
| Yearly | $49,516 | $59,344 | $64,846 | |
| Lake County | Hourly | $29.69 | $36.41 | $46.97 |
| Yearly | $61,755 | $75,730 | $97,704 | |
| Mt Vernon-Marion-Carbondale Area | Hourly | $18.88 | $24.30 | $29.19 |
| Yearly | $39,269 | $50,547 | $60,726 | |
| Northwest Illinois Area | Hourly | $20.88 | $21.86 | $30.85 |
| Yearly | $43,426 | $45,455 | $64,158 | |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area | Hourly | $24.10 | $30.02 | $38.11 |
| Yearly | $50,123 | $62,445 | $79,263 | |
| Quincy-Macomb-Galesburg Area | Hourly | $21.62 | $24.36 | $29.75 |
| Yearly | $44,973 | $50,676 | $61,879 | |
| Rock Island-Moline Area | Hourly | $23.81 | $29.21 | $37.60 |
| Yearly | $49,513 | $60,747 | $78,226 | |
| Rockford Area | Hourly | $23.19 | $29.31 | $37.01 |
| Yearly | $48,235 | $60,963 | $76,970 | |
| Springfield Area | Hourly | $23.87 | $29.57 | $37.22 |
| Yearly | $49,659 | $61,497 | $77,436 | |
| St Louis-Belleville Area | Hourly | $22.89 | $28.64 | $33.03 |
| Yearly | $47,628 | $59,563 | $68,701 | |
| Will County | Hourly | $29.75 | $33.45 | $39.44 |
| Yearly | $61,889 | $69,582 | $82,053 | |
| United States | Hourly | $24.20 | $30.24 | $38.50 |
| Yearly | $50,340 | $62,890 | $80,080 | |