Lawyer pay in Chicago, by the numbers
After a simplified 17% national tax estimate that is about US$11,400 a month, in a metro with a cost-of-living index of 100.
How Chicago compares with United States and IL
San Jose leads at US$301,320, 82% above Chicago, while Jacksonville sits at US$127,920. The neighbours in the ranking are Dallas and Seattle.
With Chicago as the sole IL entry for lawyers, the useful benchmarks are national: 11th of 21, +4% vs the median.
Take-home, rent and buying power for Chicago lawyers
Living costs are close to the baseline (COL index 100), so the median's buying power, about US$165,700, is near its face value.
Cash rank and buying-power rank match for Chicago: 11th of 21.
Run the median through our simplified tax model (17% effective) and about US$11,400 lands each month. Budget US$1,650 for a modeled 1-bedroom — 14% of pay — and other modeled costs, and roughly US$7,930 remains.
If you compared Chicago with similarly priced cities
A lawyer moving from Chicago to New York (similar cost level, COL 100) would see the median rise 26% to US$208,880, with US$2,740 more left over monthly in our model.
A lawyer moving from Chicago to Los Angeles (similar cost level, COL 100) would see the median rise 17% to US$194,410, with US$1,820 more left over monthly in our model.
A lawyer moving from Chicago to Houston (similar cost level, COL 100) would see the median fall 5% to US$157,980, with US$490 less left over monthly in our model.
Where Lawyer ranks among Chicago jobs
No tracked occupation in Chicago out-earns lawyer (9 roles compared); the runner-up, Software Engineer, sits at US$134,380.
Where Chicago stands for junior and senior lawyers
Chicago is relatively stronger at the entry end: its 10th-percentile pay (US$87,070) ranks 10th of 21, while its 90th percentile (US$331,140) ranks 15th.
For the top 10% of earners, San Jose leads with US$421,000 at the 90th percentile, +27% against Chicago.
Spread between low and high lawyer pay in Chicago
Expect wide variation between offers: the 10th percentile is US$87,070 and the 90th US$331,140, a 3.8× ratio.