Lawyer Salary in Chicago, IL — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for Chicago's cost of living (index: 114). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Lawyer Salary in Chicago — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Chicago
Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.
Job Market in Chicago
Chicago has a metro population of 9,560,000, offering a large, diverse job market with many employers across all industries. The 4.6% unemployment rate is near the national average.
Financial Calculators for Chicago
Other Professions in Chicago
Lawyer Salary — Other Illinois Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Lawyer make in Chicago, IL?
The estimated median salary for a Lawyer in Chicago is $166,166 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $145,760 adjusted by Chicago's cost of living index (114). The typical salary range runs from $108,574 (25th percentile) to $257,914 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $399,000.
Is Chicago affordable for a Lawyer?
On a $166,166 annual salary, a Lawyer in Chicago would spend approximately 16.5% of gross monthly income on median rent ($2,288/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Chicago relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $315,000 is 1.9× the annual salary.
How does a Lawyer's salary compare to Chicago's overall income?
Chicago's median household income is $70,100. A Lawyer earning the city-adjusted median of $166,166 earns 137.0% more than the typical Chicago household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.
Explore More Salary Data
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.