Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Lawyer Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

In the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan area, lawyers earned a median annual wage of $166,700 ($80.14/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $85,100/year and the 90th was $342,200/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Illinois tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $117,099 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 103.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$166,700$80.14 per hour · $13,892 monthly
10th Percentile$85,100$40.91/hr base
25th Percentile$106,800$51.35/hr base
75th Percentile$232,600$111.83/hr base
90th Percentile$342,200$164.52/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$166,700
$65,000$335,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$166,700
Net 70%
Fed 17%
IL 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$117,099After all taxes
Monthly deposit$9,758Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$4,504Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate29.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$28,742 / yr
Illinois state income tax$8,107 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$12,753 / yr

Lawyers Wage Percentiles in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Lawyers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IL)
10th Percentile$40.91/hr$7,092$85,100$64,630
25th Percentile$51.35/hr$8,900$106,800$78,822
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$80.14/hr$13,892$166,700$117,099
75th Percentile$111.83/hr$19,383$232,600$160,390
90th Percentile$164.52/hr$28,517$342,200$224,821

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$166,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$90,887Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index103.63.6% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio183.4%of area median income

Compare lawyers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Illinois:

Frequently Asked Questions About Lawyers Pay in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

What is the median salary for lawyers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

The official BLS median annual wage for lawyers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $166,700, which equates to approximately $13,892 per month or $80.14 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for lawyers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

The median hourly wage for lawyers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $80.14 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $40.91/hour and one in ten earned more than $164.52/hour.

What is the pay range for lawyers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

BLS wage estimates for lawyers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN span from $85,100 at the 10th percentile to $106,800 at the 25th, $232,600 at the 75th, and $342,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do lawyers take home after taxes in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

On a median gross salary of $166,700, an estimated $117,099 lands in net take-home pay per year ($4,504 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Illinois in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $49,601 (an effective rate of 29.8%).

How much do lawyers make per month in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

On the median annual salary of $166,700, gross monthly income is $13,892. After federal, FICA, and Illinois state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $9,758 per month (or $4,504 every two weeks).

Is $166,700 a good salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

At $166,700, the median salary for lawyers is 183.4% of the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN median household income ($90,887). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 103.6, making regional consumer goods and services 3.6% more expensive than the U.S. average.