Lawyer salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL
Lawyers in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn a median of $129,990 a year ($62.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $303,410 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 19% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $160,800. There are 2.4 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $160,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,630 | $36.84 |
| 25th percentile | $93,940 | $45.16 |
| Median | $129,990 | $62.50 |
| 75th percentile | $197,830 | $95.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $303,410 | $145.87 |
| Average (mean) | $160,490 | $77.16 |
Half of lawyers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,832.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,416.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,999.62 |
| Weekly | $2,499.81 |
| Hourly | $62.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $129,990 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Lawyer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $165,660 | 28,320 |
| Peoria, IL | $161,150 | 560 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $142,690 | 6,100 |
| Springfield, IL | $131,400 | 530 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $124,850 | 420 |
| Bloomington, IL | $124,100 | 530 |
| Kankakee, IL | $107,030 | 50 |
| Rockford, IL | $103,190 | 340 |
| Decatur, IL | $100,790 | 70 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $96,960 | 150 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $94,600 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for lawyers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $207,860 |
| District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| California | $195,080 |
| Massachusetts | $176,680 |
| Delaware | $173,510 |
| Colorado | $168,520 |
| Virginia | $167,210 |
| Connecticut | $163,600 |
| New Jersey | $161,430 |
| Illinois | $160,800 |
See Lawyer pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $58,580 | $28.16 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $65,490 | $31.49 |
More: Legal Occupations · all salaries in Champaign-Urbana, IL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 23-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The median salary for lawyers in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area is $129,990 a year, or $62.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $303,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn at least $303,410 a year. The top 25% earn $197,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,630 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $93,940 or less.
How many lawyers work in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
About 250 lawyers are employed in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.