Graphic Designer Salary in Chicago, IL
Graphic Designers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $66,490 a year — 6% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $52,458 take-home, or $4,372 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median graphic designer salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,799
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,122
- Medicare (1.45%)$964
- Illinois income tax$3,146
- Take-home pay$52,458
Marginal rate: 12% 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 →
Graphic Designer pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,750 | $21.03 | $35,312 | $2,943 |
| 25th percentile | $52,030 | $25.01 | $41,555 | $3,463 |
| Median (50th) | $66,490 | $31.97 | $52,458 | $4,372 |
| 75th percentile | $83,590 | $40.19 | $63,643 | $5,304 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,620 | $48.38 | $74,780 | $6,232 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $66,490 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 graphic designer's $52,458 take-home pay has the buying power of $50,638 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Graphic Designer jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.15).
Best-paying cities for graphic designers, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #9 of 17 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $85,420 | $64,631 | $59,357 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $92,050 | $68,059 | $58,868 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $76,720 | $62,803 | $56,511 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $78,270 | $60,199 | $55,603 |
| 5 | Denver, CO | $72,500 | $57,352 | $54,217 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $79,280 | $60,919 | $54,120 |
| 7 | Portland, OR | $75,650 | $56,260 | $53,367 |
| 8 | Dallas, TX | $63,780 | $53,427 | $51,826 |
| 9 | Chicago, IL | $66,490 | $52,458 | $50,638 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 17 metros →
About the job: graphic designers
Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -1.7% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a graphic designer make in Chicago, IL?
The median graphic designer salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $66,490 a year, or about $31.97 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $52,030 and $83,590.
What is a graphic designer’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $66,490 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $52,458 a year ($4,372 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,146 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a graphic designer?
Pay here is 6% above the national median of $62,960. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $50,638 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #9 of 17 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a graphic designer 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) — 35% of a median graphic designer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- Art Director — $104,570
- Producer and Director — $85,040
- Editor — $80,380
- Public Relations Specialist — $77,050
- Audio and Video Technician — $63,780
- Coach and Scout — $50,350
- Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer — $40,250