Graphic Designer Salary in Chicago, IL: $68,724 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Chicago, IL earns a median $68,724/year (≈ $33.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Chicago's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $66,339 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 17.8% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chicago, graphic designers can expect a competitive median annual salary of $68,724 in 2026, significantly outpacing the national median, which stands at $65,075. The salary range for this role stretches from $45,220 at the 10th percentile to $104,001 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the diverse opportunities within the market. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflects a 3.36% annual growth rate over the past five years. With a bustling creative economy, the potential for motion graphics and brand identity specialists to command even higher salaries further enriches the job market landscape in Chicago, making it an attractive destination for aspiring graphic designers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,220 | $21.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,778 | $25.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,724 | $33.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,399 | $41.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,001 | $50.01 |
Median Salary Position
5.61% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chicago
In Chicago, IL, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,781 (2026 est.). At $68,724, the local median is 5.61% above the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chicago: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chicago Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Chicago median: $68,724/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chicago Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $58,340 | +17.80% more |
| National Average | $65,075 | +5.61% more |
Graphic Designers in Chicago, IL earn a median of $68,724 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.61% higher than the national median of $65,075 and 17.80% above the Illinois state average of $58,340.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chicago has a cost of living 3.59% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chicago, IL has a cost-of-living index of 103.595 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $68,724 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $66,339 — a 3.47% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$57,550
2025 BLS Actual
$66,490
2026 Current Est.
$68,724
2019–2027 Growth
+23.4%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,550 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,160 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,490 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,724 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,033 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chicago metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 15.5% from $57,550 (2019) to $66,490 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,033 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,483 (23.43%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.36% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $45,220 – $53,778 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,778 – $68,724 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,724 – $86,399 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,399 – $104,001 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Chicago
The local job market features approximately 6,590 graphic designers, indicating a solid demand for creative professionals in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 103.595, designers must consider how this affects their take-home pay, especially in relation to less expensive locales. Competition exists among various employers, including in-house corporate marketing teams from major banks and tech firms, advertising agencies like Wieden+Kennedy, and digital agencies focused on social media. The variance in pay often stems from the specific expertise of designers, where specialties such as motion graphics and brand identity yield higher compensation than general graphic design roles. Additionally, portfolios demonstrating strong project work are essential for negotiating better salaries. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Chicago, diversifying skill sets, securing top-tier freelance projects, and targeting high-paying agency positions can significantly enhance overall graphic designer pay in Chicago, IL.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do graphic designers make in Chicago, IL in 2026?
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a graphic designer?
Can graphic designers make $100K in Chicago?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted graphic designer salary in Chicago?
How much does a graphic designer make per hour in Chicago?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
Written by Jordan Lee, MFA
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience in graphic design. They specialize in branding and visual identity. Their work includes freelance projects for small businesses.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $66,490 for graphic designersin the Chicago metropolitan area. A 3.36% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.36%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for graphic designers (SOC 27-1024).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MFA, a licensed graphic designer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov