In the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metropolitan area, professionals in Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations earn an average annual salary of $73,040. This figure is slightly below the national average of $77,720, suggesting that while the region offers significant opportunities, compensation may be influenced by local market dynamics and the cost of doing business. The concentration of these roles in Chicago is notable, contributing to the overall compensation landscape.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $73,040 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% ↘ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $118,220.
- Outlook: The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area supports a substantial workforce of 54,230 individuals within Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations. With a Location Quotient of 0.89, the region demonstrates a concentration that is nearly on par with the national average, indicating a robust and established presence of these industries. This solid workforce size and near-average concentration suggest a stable demand for talent in this sector within the metropolitan area.
Salary Overview
The average Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN earns-6.0%below the national average.
$35.1
$1,405
$6,087
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for this exact occupation group in Chicago is not provided, it is reasonable to assume that salaries within Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations have experienced growth over the past four years, mirroring national trends. Economic expansion, increased demand for creative services, and inflation typically drive upward salary adjustments, suggesting that professionals in this field have likely seen their earning potential increase in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin region.
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations Salary Distribution in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Salary progression within Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin is significantly influenced by experience and specialization. Entry-level positions typically command salaries at the lower end of the spectrum, while senior roles and specialized expertise can lead to substantially higher compensation. The percentile gaps in earnings clearly signify career advancement opportunities, with experienced professionals often earning well above the average, reflecting their accumulated skills and contributions.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $31,640 | $15.2 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $54,780 | $26.3 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $59,900 | $28.8 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $91,300 | $43.9 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $118,220 | $56.8 |
Detailed Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$73,040
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$73,040
Adjusted for COL (100)
The nominal average annual salary of $73,040 in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This means that the purchasing power of the average salary in this metropolitan area is equivalent to the national average. Therefore, relocating professionals can expect their earnings to cover living expenses at a rate comparable to the rest of the country, without a significant premium or discount.
Job Market Context
54,230
Total Jobs
12.122
Per 1K Jobs
0.89
Location Quotient
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN has 0.89x the national average concentration of Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.
A Location Quotient of 0.89 for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin indicates that these roles are slightly less concentrated than the national average. This suggests that while the market is substantial and well-established, it may not be as saturated as some other major hubs, potentially offering a competitive environment for skilled professionals seeking opportunities. The job market is healthy, but not overwhelmingly abundant compared to the national distribution.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
Comparing salaries near Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median annual salary for a Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $73,040. This typically ranges from $31,640 for entry-level positions to $118,220 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 6.0% lower than the national median of $77,720.
Is Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN a lucrative place for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupationss?
No, not significantly more lucrative than the national average.While the average salary of $73,040 is substantial, it falls slightly below the national average of $77,720, and the cost of living is exactly at the national average. This indicates comparable earning potential and purchasing power.
Is Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN a good place to live for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations?
The Cost of Living Index in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Some top paying nearby cities include Michigan City-La Porte, IN ($49,780) and Kenosha, WI.
How does the Chicago salary compare to the national average for this field?
The average annual salary for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin is $73,040, which is approximately $4,680 less than the national average of $77,720.
What is the significance of the Location Quotient (LQ) of 0.89?
An LQ of 0.89 means that Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations are slightly less concentrated in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area compared to the national average. This suggests a healthy but not overly saturated job market for these professions.
How does the Cost of Living in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin affect the salary?
With a Cost of Living Index of 100, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin is at the national average. This means the $73,040 salary has the same purchasing power as the national average salary, indicating a balanced economic environment.
How many jobs are there per 1,000 workers in this sector in Chicago?
There are approximately 12.122 jobs per 1,000 workers in Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations within the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin 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 54,230 employees in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area with a job density of 12.122 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN