CDCareer Decision

Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary in Chicago, IL

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Chicago, IL have a median annual salary of $70,550, with 11,590 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $50,160 at the 10th percentile to $106,040 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$70,550

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$33.92

Employment

11,590

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$50,160
10th
$58,740
25th
$70,550
Median
$85,040
75th
$106,040
90th

Local compared with national

Chicago, IL

$70,550

Median annual · 2025

United States

$62,890

Median annual · 2025

The Chicago, IL median is 12.2% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $7,660).

Top skills

  1. 1.WritingImportance 4.0
  2. 2.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.9
  3. 3.Active ListeningImportance 3.9
  4. 4.SpeakingImportance 3.6
  5. 5.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.3
  6. 6.Active LearningImportance 3.0
  7. 7.MonitoringImportance 3.0
  8. 8.Social PerceptivenessImportance 3.0
  9. 9.Service OrientationImportance 3.0
  10. 10.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.0
  11. 11.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.0
  12. 12.Time ManagementImportance 3.0

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Job zone
3

Technology used

  • a la mode WinTOTAL
  • AbacusNext HotDocs
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • American LegalNet USCourtForms
  • Appligent Citation FDFMerge
  • Blumbeg Drafting Libraries
  • Bowne JFS Litigator's Notebook
  • Bridgeway eCounsel
  • Case analysis software
  • CaseSoft DepPrep
  • CaseSoft TextMap
  • CaseSoft TimeMap
  • Computer access catalog software
  • Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
  • Corporate Focus Solium Shareworks

Common tasks

  • Direct and coordinate law office activity, including delivery of subpoenas.
  • Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.
  • Prepare, edit, or review legal documents, including legislation, briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.
  • Investigate facts and law of cases and search pertinent sources, such as public records and internet sources, to determine causes of action and to prepare cases.
  • Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.
  • Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of cases.
  • Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.
  • File pleadings with court clerks.
  • Call upon witnesses to testify at hearings.
  • Arbitrate disputes between parties and assist in the real estate closing process, such as by reviewing title searches.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in other locations

Other occupations in Chicago, IL