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

Landscape Architects in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan area earn an average annual salary of $78,960. This figure is slightly below the national average of $85,840, suggesting that while demand exists, local market dynamics and potentially other factors influence compensation. The specific economic landscape and industry concentration within this region play a crucial role in shaping these salary outcomes.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $78,960 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $120,990.
  • Outlook: The local job market for Landscape Architects in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN appears stable, with a total workforce of 620 professionals. The Location Quotient of 1.09 indicates a slightly higher concentration of these roles compared to the national average, suggesting a healthy, albeit not overwhelmingly dominant, presence of the profession within the region's economy. This concentration points to consistent demand and opportunities for skilled Landscape Architects.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$78,960

The average Landscape Architects in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN earns-8.0%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$38

Weekly

$1,518

Monthly

$6,580

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

Salary progression for Landscape Architects in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN typically scales significantly with experience. Entry-level positions may start considerably lower than the average, while senior roles, project managers, and principals can command salaries well above $78,960. The percentile gaps between junior and senior roles highlight the substantial career advancement and earning potential available within the profession as expertise and responsibility grow.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$42,410$20.4
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$59,220$28.5
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$71,530$34.4
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$98,700$47.5
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$120,990$58.2

Detailed Landscape Architects Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$78,960

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$78,960

Adjusted for COL (100)

The nominal average salary of $78,960 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 a Landscape Architect's salary in this metropolitan area is comparable to the national average. While the salary is slightly lower than the national average, the equivalent cost of living suggests that the take-home pay effectively maintains its value relative to expenses.

Job Market Context

620

Total Jobs

0.139

Per 1K Jobs

1.09

Location Quotient

Above Average

With a location quotient of 1.09, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Landscape Architects roles compared to the national norm.

With a Location Quotient of 1.09, the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area exhibits a slightly higher concentration of Landscape Architects than the national average. This suggests a robust and established market for these professionals, indicating a competitive environment where demand is present and potentially growing. While not excessively concentrated, the LQ implies that employers in this region actively seek and employ Landscape Architects, offering a good balance of opportunity and competition.

Nearby Job Markets

Hiring Landscape Architectss?

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median annual salary for a Landscape Architects in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $78,960. This typically ranges from $42,410 for entry-level positions to $120,990 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 8.0% lower than the national median of $85,840.

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

Yes, with caveats.The average salary is slightly below the national average, but the cost of living is also at the national average, making the purchasing power comparable. The slightly higher concentration of jobs (LQ 1.09) indicates a healthy market.

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

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 Landscape Architect salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Landscape Architects in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $78,960, which is approximately 8% lower than the national average of $85,840.

What is the cost of living impact on a Landscape Architect's salary in Chicago?

The cost of living in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is at the national average (100). This means the $78,960 salary has purchasing power equivalent to the national average, despite being nominally lower than the national average salary.

Is there high demand for Landscape Architects in Chicago?

The Location Quotient of 1.09 suggests a slightly higher concentration of Landscape Architects in the area compared to the national average, indicating a stable to good demand for the profession.

How much does experience affect a Landscape Architect's salary in Chicago?

Experience significantly impacts earnings, with entry-level positions earning less than the $78,960 average and senior or lead roles commanding substantially higher salaries, reflecting career progression and increased responsibility.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 620 employees in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area with a job density of 0.139 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.