How much does an architect make in Chicago?
$81,790a year
Median yearly pay for architects in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $39.32 an hour or $6,816 a month.
- Hourly
- $39.32
- Vs. national median
- -18%
- Rank among cities
- 187 of 231
- Jobs in the area
- 4,460
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $60,750Median: $81,790Highest 10%: $131,000
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $60,750 | $29.21 | |
| 25th | $65,820 | $31.64 | |
| Median | $81,790 | $39.32 | |
| 75th | $105,100 | $50.52 | |
| 90th | $131,000 | $62.98 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for architects.
| Davenport, IA | $99,030 |
| St. Louis, MO | $98,800 |
| Springfield, IL | $97,600 |
| Bloomington, IL | $82,250 |
| Champaign, IL | $81,110 |
| Rockford, IL | $81,010 |
| Peoria, IL | $79,580 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,500 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $134,500 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $133,900 |
| Electronics Engineer | $125,700 |
| Engineer | $121,900 |
| Health and Safety Engineer | $114,200 |
| Electrical Engineer | $113,500 |
| Chemical Engineer | $110,800 |
| Environmental Engineer | $110,700 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $102,100 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an architect make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $39.32 ($81,790 a year).
Do architects make more in Chicago than the national average?
No: $81,790 against $99,280 nationally, 18% less.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $81,780, so Chicago pays 0% more.
Where does Chicago rank for architect pay?
187 of 231 metro areas with data.
How much does an architect make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $60,750 or less a year; the top 10% make $131,000 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.