Architects, Except Landscape and Naval Salary in Chicago, IL
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $81,790 a year — 18% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $62,465 take-home, or $5,205 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median architects, except landscape and naval salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,164
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,071
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,186
- Illinois income tax$3,904
- Take-home pay$62,465
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,750 | $29.21 | $48,130 | $4,011 |
| 25th percentile | $65,820 | $31.64 | $51,953 | $4,329 |
| Median (50th) | $81,790 | $39.32 | $62,465 | $5,205 |
| 75th percentile | $105,090 | $50.52 | $77,704 | $6,475 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,990 | $62.98 | $94,458 | $7,872 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $81,790 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median architects, except landscape and naval's $62,465 take-home pay has the buying power of $60,298 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chicago, IL has 1.4× the national concentration of architects, except landscape and naval jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for architects, except landscape and naval, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #9 of 9 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston, MA | $119,120 | $86,895 | $80,261 |
| 2 | Houston, TX | $97,590 | $77,485 | $78,562 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $126,550 | $88,578 | $76,616 |
| 4 | Dallas, TX | $93,840 | $74,846 | $72,603 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $100,610 | $79,609 | $71,634 |
| 6 | Washington, DC | $102,080 | $74,935 | $68,821 |
| 7 | Los Angeles, CA | $104,170 | $75,301 | $66,306 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $99,710 | $74,133 | $65,859 |
| 9 | Chicago, IL | $81,790 | $62,465 | $60,298 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 9 metros →
About the job: architects, except landscape and naval
Plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +4.3% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a architects, except landscape and naval make in Chicago, IL?
The median architects, except landscape and naval salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $81,790 a year, or about $39.32 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $65,820 and $105,090.
What is a architects, except landscape and naval’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $81,790 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $62,465 a year ($5,205 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,904 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a architects, except landscape and naval?
Pay here is 18% below the national median of $99,280. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $60,298 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #9 of 9 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a architects, except landscape and naval afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 29% of a median architects, except landscape and naval’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- Electrical Engineer — $113,520
- Mechanical Engineer — $102,070
- Industrial Engineer — $101,760
- Civil Engineer — $100,160