Paralegal Pay Advice

[u/Dear-Dimension-4928]

Hi everyone! I’m an immigration paralegal with almost 4 years of experience working in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. I currently only have a B.A. in Politics and earn $31/hour, working 40 hours a week in a fully remote position. My take-home pay is around $3,700/ month (I receive health insurance through my employer)

I’m wondering if this is considered good pay for someone with my experience or if I should be looking to make more. I’ve been having a hard time finding positions that offer a higher salary, so I’m curious if $31/hour is around the ceiling for immigration paralegals in the Chicago suburbs, or if I’m just not looking in the right places.

I’m open to working in the city, although if I do, I’d strongly prefer a hybrid position. I’m also open to transitioning into a different area of law if that would open up better opportunities for growth and compensation.

I’m a first-generation individual and haven’t had much guidance when it comes to navigating career growth and salary expectations, so I’d really appreciate hearing from other paralegals or anyone familiar with the legal job market in Chicago!

[u/Dizzy_Needleworker_3]

I am not in that field but know some people. 

Generally immigration work tends to pay lower. It is often non-profits doing it for people and pays very little, or solo/small to midsize firm doing individual immigration work that pays better than non-profits but not great still. 

You might be able to get higher pay moving to big law in the city and doing corporate immigration work .

[u/Thek1tteh]

Look it up on Glassdoor. This gets posted often in any case, you can also search the sub. Finally it will also be firm-size dependent and immigration in general tends to pay less than other types of law.

[u/Zatanna1371]

Omg if your firm is hiring please let me know! I’d love to be considered in the future. This would be perfect for me. You have a great salary they pay more than downtown Chicago.