Lawyers salary
in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Lawyers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro earn a median of $165,660 a year, based on BLS estimates for 28,320 jobs (May 2025). That is 4% above the U.S. median of $159,670 and 3% above the IL statewide median of $160,800. It ranks #22 of 304 metros with published figures for this job.
- SOURCEBLS OEWS, May 2025
- SAMPLE28,320 jobs (estimate)
- SCOPEall employers, all experience levels
- PERIODMay 2025 estimates
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EMPLOYERS FILING FOR THIS JOB IN CHICAGO · VISA-SPONSORED BASE WAGES
Median of each employer’s DOL LCA filings (5+ filings) in this metro, FY2026 Q3. Covers sponsored positions only.
LAWYERS PAY IN OTHER IL METROS
- Peoria, ILmedian $161,150
- Springfield, ILmedian $131,400
- Champaign-Urbana, ILmedian $129,990
- East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan areamedian $127,120
- Bloomington, ILmedian $124,100
- South Illinois nonmetropolitan areamedian $112,120
- Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan areamedian $104,110
- Rockford, ILmedian $103,190
Questions
What is the average Lawyers salary in Chicago?
The BLS median is $165,660 a year (May 2025). Half of the 28,320 jobs pay between $106,980 and $232,270. The 10th percentile is $87,070 and the 90th is $331,140.
Is Chicago a high-paying metro for Lawyers?
That is 4% above the U.S. median of $159,670 and 3% above the IL statewide median of $160,800. It ranks #22 of 304 U.S. metros with published BLS figures for this job.
Does this include experience levels?
BLS figures cover all experience levels together. Employer filings carry a DOL wage level, which the free checker can filter by (approximate).
Which employers pay Lawyers the most in Chicago?
Among employers with 5+ visa-sponsored filings here, the highest medians were Sidley Austin (US) ($225,000), Mayer Brown ($210,330). These are base wages for sponsored positions, not all employees.
Sources: U.S. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (national + state) (metro area estimates, all employers); employer rows from U.S. DOL OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026 Q3 (LCA_Disclosure_Data_FY2026_Q3.xlsx). Base pay only. Estimates can have sampling error, especially for smaller metros.