Legal Counsel Salary in Chicago, IL
Annual base compensation · May 2026 · BLS OES Survey Data
$160,000
▲ 3.1% YOY
Compensation Distribution
$90,000
10th Pct.
Junior
$115,000
25th Pct.
Entry-level
$160,000
50th Pct.
Median
$215,000
75th Pct.
Senior
$285,000
90th Pct.
Top earner
Open Positions
Find active Legal Counsel roles in Chicago
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Legal Counsel salary in Chicago?+
The median Legal Counsel salary in Chicago, IL is $160,000 per year as of May 2026. The middle 50% of earners fall between $115,000 and $215,000.
What is the entry-level Legal Counsel salary in Chicago?+
Entry-level Legal Counsel positions in Chicago typically start around $115,000 per year (25th percentile). With 2–4 years of experience, compensation climbs toward the market median of $160,000.
What do senior Legal Counsels earn in Chicago?+
Senior Legal Counsels in Chicago earn $215,000 at the 75th percentile and up to $285,000 at the 90th percentile, reflecting 6+ years of experience and management responsibilities.
How has the Legal Counsel market changed in Chicago?+
Year-over-year salary growth for Legal Counsels in Chicago stands at 3.1% as of May 2026, indicating moderate demand in the local market.
Legal Counsel — Other Markets
| Market | 25th Pct. | Median | 75th Pct. | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $155,000 | $215,000 | $285,000 | +3.1% |
| New York, NY | $145,000 | $200,000 | $265,000 | +3.1% |
| Seattle, WA | $135,000 | $185,000 | $250,000 | +3.1% |
| Boston, MA | $130,000 | $180,000 | $240,000 | +3.1% |
| Austin, TX | $115,000 | $155,000 | $210,000 | +3.1% |
| Denver, CO | $115,000 | $155,000 | $210,000 | +3.1% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $140,000 | $190,000 | $255,000 | +3.1% |
| Washington DC, DC | $130,000 | $180,000 | $240,000 | +3.1% |
Chicago — Other Roles
| Role | 25th Pct. | Median | 75th Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | $105,000 | $140,000 | $180,000 |
| Data Analyst | $65,000 | $90,000 | $115,000 |
| Data Scientist | $95,000 | $125,000 | $165,000 |
| Product Manager | $100,000 | $130,000 | $170,000 |
| DevOps Engineer | $100,000 | $135,000 | $175,000 |
| UX Designer | $75,000 | $100,000 | $130,000 |