Lawyer Salary in Chicago, IL
Lawyers in Chicago, IL earn a median of $152,000/year, ranging from $107,000 (25th percentile) to $273,000 (90th percentile). After Illinois state taxes (4.95%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 107), this is equivalent to $142,056 in purchasing power vs the US average.
1Salary Distribution in Chicago, IL
2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power
* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.
How Does Chicago, IL Compare?
| City | Median | COL Index | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL (current) | $152,000 | 107 | $142,056 |
| San Francisco, CA | $195,000 | 186 | $104,839 |
| New York, NY | $210,000 | 187 | $112,299 |
| Seattle, WA | $168,000 | 162 | $103,704 |
| Boston, MA | $178,000 | 162 | $109,877 |
| Austin, TX | $142,000 | 124 | $114,516 |
4Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Lawyer salary in Chicago, IL?
The median Lawyer salary in Chicago, IL is $152,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $107,000 and the 90th percentile is $273,000.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a Lawyer?
Chicago, IL has a cost of living index of 107 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $152,000 Lawyer salary in Chicago, IL is equivalent to $142,056 in purchasing power compared to the US average.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Chicago, IL?
Chicago, IL has a cost of living index of 107, meaning it is 7% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in Illinois is approximately 4.95%.
What is the Lawyer salary range in Chicago, IL?
In Chicago, IL, Lawyers earn between $107,000 (25th percentile) and $273,000 (90th percentile), with a median of $152,000 per year.
How many Lawyer jobs are there in Chicago, IL?
According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 12,000 Lawyer positions in the Chicago, IL metropolitan area.
What do Lawyers earn in Chicago, IL?
Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Lawyers in Chicago, IL earn a median annual wage of $152,000. The middle 50% earn between $107,000 and $206,000. The top 10% earn more than $273,000. There are approximately 12,000 Lawyers employed in the Chicago, IL metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 1.5%.
Is Chicago, IL a good place for a Lawyer?
Chicago, IL has a cost of living index of 107 (US average = 100), making it 7% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Lawyer in Chicago, IL earning $152,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $142,056 relative to the US median. Illinois has a state income tax rate of approximately 4.95%.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Chicago, IL?
Chicago, IL's cost of living index is 107, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $152,000 in Chicago, ILhas the same purchasing power as $142,056 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.
Compare Chicago, IL with Another City
See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.