What is the average Legal Assistant salary for Chicago, IL?
-
As of April 01, 2026, the average Legal Assistant salary in Chicago, IL is $276,202. The chart below represents localized salaries for some of our most popular Legal Assistant job titles in Chicago, IL. Salaries can vary greatly depending on numerous factors, including position, location, years of experience, and level of education. Salary.com’s team of Certified Compensation Professionals analyzed survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at companies of all sizes and industries to compile a range of salaries for various Legal Assistant job titles in Chicago, IL. Apply your personal criteria to one of the job titles below to get your personalized salary estimate.
Legal Assistant Salaries in Chicago, IL
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Legal Assistant I | $65,709 | $31.59 | Chicago, IL | April 01, 2026 |
| Legal Assistant III | $96,401 | $46.35 | Chicago, IL | April 01, 2026 |
| Legal Assistant IV | $111,353 | $53.54 | Chicago, IL | April 01, 2026 |
| Legal Assistant II | $80,102 | $38.51 | Chicago, IL | April 01, 2026 |
| Legal Secretary II | $74,418 | $35.78 | Chicago, IL | April 01, 2026 |
| Legal Secretary I | $64,902 | $31.20 | Chicago, IL | April 01, 2026 |
| Legal Secretary III | $85,375 | $41.05 | Chicago, IL | April 01, 2026 |
| Legal Secretary IV | $95,117 | $45.73 | Chicago, IL | April 01, 2026 |
| Legal Services Director | $218,280 | $104.94 | Chicago, IL | April 01, 2026 |
| Chief Legal Officer | $420,182 | $202.01 | Chicago, IL | April 01, 2026 |
-
Performs administrative and paralegal duties for attorneys or legal firms. Utilizes a variety of sources such as statutes, recorded judicial decisions, legal articles, and legal codes to research and analyze legal topics. Drafts and edits legal documents such as briefs, pleadings, motions, and contracts. Conducts fact-finding, data collection, and analysis used to prepare statements and arguments. Manages, organizes, and archives documents with software tools and technology. Assists with scheduling and client correspondence. Typically requires an associate degree. Typically requires Paralegal Certification. Typically reports to an attorney. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience. Legal Assistant I Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:Paralegal Support Associate I, Legal Assistant I
-
Performs administrative and paralegal duties for attorneys or legal firms. Utilizes a variety of sources such as statutes, recorded judicial decisions, legal articles, and legal codes to research and analyze legal topics. Drafts and edits legal documents such as briefs, pleadings, motions, and contracts. Conducts fact-finding, data collection, and analysis used to prepare statements and arguments. Manages, organizes, and archives documents with software tools and technology. Assists with scheduling and client correspondence. Typically requires an associate degree. Typically requires Paralegal Certification. Typically reports to an attorney. Works independently within established procedures associated with the specific job function. Has gained proficiency in multiple competencies relevant to the job. Typically requires 3-5 years of related experience. Legal Assistant III Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:Paralegal Support Associate III, Legal Assistant III
-
Performs administrative and paralegal duties for attorneys or legal firms. Utilizes a variety of sources such as statutes, recorded judicial decisions, legal articles, and legal codes to research and analyze legal topics. Drafts and edits legal documents such as briefs, pleadings, motions, and contracts. Conducts fact-finding, data collection, and analysis used to prepare statements and arguments. Manages, organizes, and archives documents with software tools and technology. Assists with scheduling and client correspondence. Typically requires an associate degree. Typically requires Paralegal Certification. Typically reports to an attorney. Independently performs a wide range of complex duties under general guidance from supervisors. Has gained full proficiency in a broad range of activities related to the job. Typically requires 5-7 years of related experience. Legal Assistant IV Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:Paralegal Support Associate IV, Legal Assistant IV
-
Performs administrative and paralegal duties for attorneys or legal firms. Utilizes a variety of sources such as statutes, recorded judicial decisions, legal articles, and legal codes to research and analyze legal topics. Drafts and edits legal documents such as briefs, pleadings, motions, and contracts. Conducts fact-finding, data collection, and analysis used to prepare statements and arguments. Manages, organizes, and archives documents with software tools and technology. Assists with scheduling and client correspondence. Typically requires an associate degree. Typically requires Paralegal Certification. Typically reports to an attorney. Works under moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Typically requires 1-3 years of related experience. Legal Assistant II Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:Paralegal Support Associate II, Legal Assistant II
-
Performs administrative functions for attorneys or legal firms. Maintains schedules for meetings, hearings, trials, and depositions. Prepares legal documents, contracts, briefs, motions, summonses, complaints, and general correspondence. Utilizes document creation software and other legal reference software. Understands and uses correct legal terminology, standard formats, and procedures to prepare documents. Maintains and organizes document files or database in required format. Coordinates efficient phone, e-mail, and written communications between attorney and client. Requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Works under moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Typically requires 1-3 years of related experience. Legal Secretary II Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:Legal Administrative Support Specialist II, Legal Secretary, Experienced, Legal Secretary II
-
Performs administrative functions for attorneys or legal firms. Maintains schedules for meetings, hearings, trials, and depositions. Prepares legal documents, contracts, briefs, motions, summonses, complaints, and general correspondence. Utilizes document creation software and other legal reference software. Understands and uses correct legal terminology, standard formats, and procedures to prepare documents. Maintains and organizes document files or database in required format. Coordinates efficient phone, e-mail, and written communications between attorney and client. Requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience. Legal Secretary I Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:Legal Administrative Support Specialist I, Legal Secretary, Entry, Legal Secretary I
-
Performs administrative functions for attorneys or legal firms. Maintains schedules for meetings, hearings, trials, and depositions. Prepares legal documents, contracts, briefs, motions, summonses, complaints, and general correspondence. Utilizes document creation software and other legal reference software. Understands and uses correct legal terminology, standard formats, and procedures to prepare documents. Maintains and organizes document files or database in required format. Coordinates efficient phone, e-mail, and written communications between attorney and client. Requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Works independently within established procedures associated with the specific job function. Has gained proficiency in multiple competencies relevant to the job. Typically requires 3-5 years of related experience. Legal Secretary III Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:Legal Administrative Support Specialist III, Legal Secretary, Senior, Legal Secretary III
-
Performs administrative functions for attorneys or legal firms. Maintains schedules for meetings, hearings, trials, and depositions. Prepares legal documents, contracts, briefs, motions, summonses, complaints, and general correspondence. Utilizes document creation software and other legal reference software. Understands and uses correct legal terminology, standard formats, and procedures to prepare documents. Maintains and organizes document files or database in required format. Coordinates efficient phone, e-mail, and written communications between attorney and client. Requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Independently performs a wide range of complex duties under general guidance from supervisors. Has gained full proficiency in a broad range of activities related to the job. Typically requires 5-7 years of related experience. Legal Secretary IV Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:Legal Administrative Support Specialist IV, Legal Secretary, Specialist, Legal Secretary IV
-
Oversees the activities of the organization's legal department. Provides legal advice, interpretation, and guidance to senior management and officers regarding contracts, state/federal regulatory requirements, intellectual property or trademark protection, and other business matters. Reviews all information and prepares defense for any legal actions against the organization or advises on prosecuting lawsuits on behalf of the organization. Coordinates and reviews the work of internal or external legal staff. Manages staff of attorneys. Requires a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school. Requires admittance to a state bar. Typically reports to top management. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments. Legal Services Director Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:Legal Affairs Director, Legal Group Director, Legal Services Director
-
Leads and oversees an organization's legal affairs to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Maintains a thorough understanding of business processes, strategies, and objectives to preemptively identify regulatory risks and protect the organization. Collaborates with executive stakeholders to provide leadership, regulatory oversight, and strategic guidance to all areas of an organization. Researches and monitors legal developments and manages regulatory changes to mitigate risk and minimize the impact on the organization. Assists or represents the organization in business negotiations and agreements. Requires a JD. Requires State Bar. Typically reports to Chief Executive Officer (CEO). C-suite level management. Develops functional or business unit strategy for an organization. Executes multiple high impact initiatives to achieve organizational goals. Defines vision, strategy, and focus for a major functional or business unit. Substantial experience with setting key metrics like KPIs or OKRs and shaping plans to meet objectives. Typically requires progressive leadership experience in senior management roles. Has expert level knowledge of the overall departmental function. Demonstrated experience in developing and executing long term business strategies. Chief Legal Officer Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:Chief Legal Executive, CLO, Head of Legal Operations, Chief Legal Officer