SalaryNode

Average Architects, Except Landscape and Naval Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Architects, Except Landscape and Naval in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area earn an average annual salary of $90,270. This figure is notably below the national average of $103,030, suggesting that while the demand is present, local market dynamics or other economic factors may be influencing compensation levels in this metropolitan region.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $90,270 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $126,470.
  • Outlook: With a local workforce of 4,920 professionals in this field, the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area demonstrates a significant concentration of architectural talent. The Location Quotient of 1.53 indicates that this region employs architects at a rate 53% higher than the national average, signaling robust demand and a potentially dynamic job market for these professionals.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$90,270

The average Architects, Except Landscape and Naval in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN earns-12.4%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$43.4

Weekly

$1,736

Monthly

$7,523

Architects, Except Landscape and Naval Salary Distribution in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Salary progression for Architects, Except Landscape and Naval typically scales significantly with experience. Entry-level positions often start at lower percentiles, while seasoned professionals with extensive portfolios and specialized skills can command salaries in the upper percentiles. The widening gap between starting and senior salaries reflects the value placed on expertise, project management capabilities, and leadership within the architectural profession.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$58,840$28.3
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$67,703$32.5
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$79,240$38.1
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$112,838$54.2
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$126,470$60.8

Detailed Architects, Except Landscape and Naval Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$90,270

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$90,270

Adjusted for COL (100)

The nominal average salary of $90,270 in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of an architect's salary in this region is equivalent to the national average, offering a stable financial environment without the premium often associated with higher cost-of-living areas.

Job Market Context

4,920

Total Jobs

1.1

Per 1K Jobs

1.53

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN has 1.5x the national concentration of Architects, Except Landscape and Naval jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.

A Location Quotient of 1.53 signifies a strong concentration of Architects, Except Landscape and Naval within the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan area, exceeding the national average by 53%. This suggests a competitive yet abundant job market, where demand for architectural services is higher relative to the national landscape, potentially offering more opportunities but also requiring professionals to stand out.

Nearby Job Markets

Hiring Architects, Except Landscape and Navals?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Architects, Except Landscape and Naval make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

The median annual salary for a Architects, Except Landscape and Naval in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $90,270. This typically ranges from $58,840 for entry-level positions to $126,470 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is 12.4% lower than the national median of $103,030.

Is Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN a lucrative place for Architects, Except Landscape and Navals?

No, not strictly lucrative compared to the national average.While the area has a higher concentration of architects than the national average, the average salary of $90,270 is below the national average of $103,030. However, the cost of living being at the national average balances this out somewhat.

Is Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN a good place to live for Architects, Except Landscape and Navals?

The Cost of Living Index in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

How does the Chicago architect salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Architects, Except Landscape and Naval in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $90,270, which is lower than the national average of $103,030.

What is the concentration of architects in the Chicago area?

The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area has a Location Quotient of 1.53 for this profession, indicating a concentration 53% higher than the national average.

How does the cost of living in Chicago affect the architect's salary?

The Cost of Living Index in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is 100, which is the national average. This means the $90,270 salary has the same purchasing power as the national average salary.

How many architects are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area?

There are approximately 4,920 Architects, Except Landscape and Naval employed within the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 4,920 employees in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area with a job density of 1.1 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.