Architectural and Engineering Manager Salary in Chicago, IL
Architectural and Engineering Managers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $163,430 a year — 5% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $115,025 take-home, or $9,585 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median architectural and engineering manager salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$27,957
- Social Security (6.2%)$10,133
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,370
- Illinois income tax$7,945
- Take-home pay$115,025
Marginal rate: 24% 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 →
Architectural and Engineering Manager pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $112,440 | $54.06 | $82,511 | $6,876 |
| 25th percentile | $133,100 | $63.99 | $95,796 | $7,983 |
| Median (50th) | $163,430 | $78.57 | $115,025 | $9,585 |
| 75th percentile | $200,400 | $96.35 | $139,447 | $11,621 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $235,240 | $113.10 | $161,992 | $13,499 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $163,430 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 architectural and engineering manager's $115,025 take-home pay has the buying power of $111,034 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Architectural and Engineering Manager jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.04).
Best-paying cities for architectural and engineering managers, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #20 of 20 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $234,590 | $152,428 | $138,040 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $204,340 | $152,123 | $136,884 |
| 3 | Austin, TX | $176,540 | $131,931 | $134,533 |
| 4 | Cincinnati, OH | $177,160 | $128,265 | $134,492 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $205,130 | $142,669 | $131,776 |
| 6 | Houston, TX | $172,020 | $128,842 | $130,633 |
| 7 | Denver, CO | $191,440 | $134,831 | $127,461 |
| 8 | San Francisco, CA | $221,580 | $145,266 | $125,649 |
| 20 | Chicago, IL | $163,430 | $115,025 | $111,034 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 20 metros →
About the job: architectural and engineering managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- 5 years or more
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.5% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a architectural and engineering manager make in Chicago, IL?
The median architectural and engineering manager salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $163,430 a year, or about $78.57 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $133,100 and $200,400.
What is a architectural and engineering manager’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $163,430 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $115,025 a year ($9,585 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $7,945 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a architectural and engineering manager?
Pay here is 5% below the national median of $171,270. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $111,034 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #20 of 20 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a architectural and engineering manager 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) — 16% of a median architectural and engineering manager’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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