Graphic Designer salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Graphic Designers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $66,490 a year ($31.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,590 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,620 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $62,960. Pay here is 6% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $62,560. There are 1.5 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $71,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,750 | $21.04 |
| 25th percentile | $52,030 | $25.02 |
| Median | $66,490 | $31.97 |
| 75th percentile | $83,590 | $40.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,620 | $48.38 |
| Average (mean) | $71,470 | $34.36 |
Half of graphic designers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,540.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,770.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,557.31 |
| Weekly | $1,278.65 |
| Hourly | $31.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Graphic Designer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $66,060 | 100 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $62,260 | 1,730 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $61,000 | 2,010 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $60,520 | 1,530 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $60,200 | 150 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $57,340 | 820 |
| Bloomington, IL | $57,230 | 90 |
| Peoria, IL | $56,450 | 150 |
| Springfield, IL | $55,220 | 100 |
| Rockford, IL | $54,530 | 110 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $54,290 | 30 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $52,500 | 170 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $52,280 | 270 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $51,720 | 140 |
| Evansville, IN | $51,450 | 110 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $51,370 | 160 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $51,180 | 40 |
| Bloomington, IN | $48,740 | 30 |
| Decatur, IL | $48,100 | 40 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $45,930 | 50 |
| Muncie, IN | $45,700 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for graphic designers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $87,920 |
| Rhode Island | $78,220 |
| New York | $77,340 |
| Massachusetts | $76,710 |
| California | $75,130 |
| Maryland | $75,120 |
| New Jersey | $73,790 |
| Washington | $72,710 |
| Connecticut | $72,700 |
| Virginia | $72,310 |
See Graphic Designer pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,250 | $19.35 |
| Art Director | $104,570 | $50.28 |
| Interior Designer | $76,570 | $36.81 |
| Floral Designer | $36,200 | $17.40 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $112,950 | $54.30 |
| Craft Artist | $49,200 | $23.66 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $54,990 | $26.44 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,350 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $77,050 | $37.04 |
| Producers and Directors | $85,040 | $40.89 |
| Editor | $80,380 | $38.64 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $63,780 | $30.66 |
| Writers and Authors | $75,940 | $36.51 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-1024. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a graphic designer make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for graphic designers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $66,490 a year, or $31.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of graphic designers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $100,620 a year. The top 25% earn $83,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,750 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $52,030 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 6,590 graphic designers are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.