What is the average Graphic Designer salary in Chicago, IL?
Graphic Designers in Chicago earn a median of $62,400 per year — about 6% above the national average. Pay ranges from $44,900 (25th percentile) to $96,700 (90th percentile).
Graphic Designer salary by experience level
How Chicago pay compares
Cost-of-living adjusted is the Chicago salary translated into equivalent purchasing power vs the US average (COL index 100). Useful for comparing offers across cities.
5-year salary trend
Trend extrapolated from BLS May 2024 BLS OEWS OEWS data using the latest year-over-year growth rate of 3.9%.
Graphic Designer job market in Chicago
Chicago's economy is anchored by finance, manufacturing, and a growing tech scene. Salaries are competitive without the coastal cost of living.
An estimated 9,400 graphic designers work in the Chicago metro. Daily responsibilities typically include:
- Design layouts and graphics
- Develop brand guidelines
- Collaborate with marketing teams
- Refine designs based on feedback
- Prepare files for print/web
Related job salaries in Chicago
Graphic Designer salary in other cities
FAQ
How much does a Graphic Designer make in Chicago, IL?+
Graphic Designers in Chicago earn a median of $62,400 per year — about 6% above the national average of $58,910.
What's the entry-level Graphic Designer salary in Chicago?+
Entry-level Graphic Designers in Chicago typically earn around $40,600 per year. Salaries scale to about $90,500 at the senior level with 8+ years of experience.
Is $62,400 a good Graphic Designer salary in Chicago?+
$62,400 is the median, meaning half of Graphic Designers in Chicago earn more and half earn less. Adjusted for the city's cost-of-living index of 107, that's roughly $58,300 in nationally-equivalent purchasing power.
How fast is Graphic Designer pay growing in Chicago?+
Graphic Designer salaries in Chicago grew about 3.9% year-over-year in the latest BLS data. The 10-year national outlook for this role is +3%.
Where do Graphic Designers in Chicago get paid the most?+
The 90th percentile Graphic Designer salary in Chicago is around $96,700. These typically include senior, lead, or specialist roles at major employers.
Are you being paid fairly in Chicago?
Run a free comparison against BLS data — see if your salary is below, at, or above the Chicago median.
Check my salary →