RateOrchard
State comparison · 2025

Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary: District of Columbia vs Illinois

Occupation

Paralegals and Legal Assistants in District of Columbia earn a median of $89,750. In Illinois, $63,670. After cost-of-living, the gap is 28.3% — not 41%.

Nominal pay gap
+41%
District of Columbia vs Illinois
COL-adjusted gap
+28.3%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

District of Columbia

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

Median
$89,750
p25
$72,240
p75
$114,920
p10
$59,770
p90
$131,650
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
109.9
Hiring velocity (180d)
+500%
See full breakdown for District of Columbia

Illinois

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

Median
$63,670
p25
$56,160
p75
$81,970
p10
$46,860
p90
$104,580
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
100.0
Hiring velocity (180d)
+800%
See full breakdown for Illinois

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.