salary$165,660 a year$80 an hour · median pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$87,070per year
Top pay (top 10%)$331,140per year
Jobs in the area28,320people work this job
Can a lawyer afford Chicago?
Cheap. Rent of $1,983 a month takes 14.4% of the median lawyer salary. That is under the 30% rule, so one paycheck covers rent comfortably.
Lawyer pay in similar cities
Other jobs in Chicago
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Chicago, IL?
The median pay for a lawyer in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area is $165,660 a year ($80 an hour). Most earn between $87,070 and $331,140.
Can a lawyer afford to live in Chicago?
Typical rent of $1,983 a month takes 14.4% of the median lawyer salary, which we rate Cheap.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area.