Graphic Designer salary in Illinois
Graphic Designers in Illinois earn a median of $62,560 a year ($30.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,960 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,750 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $62,960. Illinois ranks 17th of 51 states for graphic designers pay. There are 1.5 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $66,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,060 | $17.34 |
| 25th percentile | $47,530 | $22.85 |
| Median | $62,560 | $30.08 |
| 75th percentile | $81,320 | $39.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,750 | $47.48 |
| Average (mean) | $66,980 | $32.20 |
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 | $5,213.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,606.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,406.15 |
| Weekly | $1,203.08 |
| Hourly | $30.08 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Graphic Designer salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $66,490 | 6,590 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $61,000 | 2,010 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $60,200 | 150 |
| Bloomington, IL | $57,230 | 90 |
| Peoria, IL | $56,450 | 150 |
| Springfield, IL | $55,220 | 100 |
| Rockford, IL | $54,530 | 110 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $52,500 | 170 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $51,180 | 40 |
| Decatur, IL | $48,100 | 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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,270 | $19.36 |
| Art Director | $103,550 | $49.79 |
| Interior Designer | $76,290 | $36.68 |
| Floral Designer | $35,880 | $17.25 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $81,180 | $39.03 |
| Designers, All Other | $77,460 | $37.24 |
| Craft Artist | $43,040 | $20.69 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $53,850 | $25.89 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,120 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $76,380 | $36.72 |
| Editor | $76,060 | $36.57 |
| Producers and Directors | $81,080 | $38.98 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Writers and Authors | $68,220 | $32.80 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for graphic designers in Illinois is $62,560 a year, or $30.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Illinois?
The top 10% of graphic designers in Illinois earn at least $98,750 a year. The top 25% earn $81,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,060 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $47,530 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Illinois?
About 8,960 graphic designers are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.