Legal Illinois (IL) Rank #24 of 50

Judge Salary in Illinois

The median judge salary in Illinois is $140,629 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $148,030.

Median Salary

$140,629

vs National

$-7,401

State Rank

#24 of 50

Cost of Living

95%

Judge Salary in Illinois by Experience

In Illinois, an entry-level judge earns around $61,750, while experienced professionals earn up to $204,250 per year. The cost of living index in Illinois is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$61,750

$-3,250 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$142,500

$-7,500 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$204,250

$-10,750 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Illinois

Percentile	IL Salary	National	Difference
10th Percentile	$55,100	$58,000	$-2,900
25th Percentile	$85,500	$90,000	$-4,500
Median (50th)	$140,629	$148,030	$-7,401
75th Percentile	$185,250	$195,000	$-9,750
90th Percentile	$218,500	$230,000	$-11,500

Judge Salary by City in Illinois

The largest employment areas for judges in Illinois include Chicago, Aurora, Naperville, and Rockford. Salaries vary by city based on local cost of living and demand.

Chicago, IL

$158,392

Pop. 2,693,976 · COL 107%

Aurora, IL

$140,629

Pop. 197,757 · COL 95%

Naperville, IL

$159,872

Pop. 149,540 · COL 108%

Rockford, IL

$121,385

Pop. 148,655 · COL 82%

Springfield, IL

$125,826

Pop. 114,394 · COL 85%

How to Become a Judge in Illinois

Education

Most judge positions require a doctoral degree. Illinois has several accredited institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Legal InterpretationJudicial ReasoningCourt ProceduresImpartialityLegal WritingCase Management

Job Outlook in Illinois

Nationally, judge employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Illinois's demand may vary based on local industry trends.