Design for America Salary

As of August 2026, the average annual salary for employees at Design for America in the United States is $93,139. This translates to an approximate hourly wage of $45. Salaries at Design for America typically range from $81,867 to $105,380 annually, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.
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Current Job Openings at Design for America

Ready for your next career move? Explore current job openings at Design for America. Use the search tool below to find available positions by title and location and apply directly to start your career.

Is Design for America’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Design for America's compensation stack up against the industry and its key competitors? Our salary benchmarking analysis provides a clear comparison. The chart below visualizes this comparison alongside select peer companies.
Competitor / Benchmark Avg. Salary Variance Primary Market Influence Factor & Explanation
HRH Search $85,998
-7.7%
Typical compensation structure for smaller regional agencies like HRH Search.
Benchmark Engineering & Land Surveying LLC $84,732
-9.0%
Normalized for lower cost-of-living zones where Benchmark Engineering & Land Surveying LLC primarily operates.
European Auto Techniks $89,943
-3.4%
European Auto Techniks operates with a leaner overhead structure, impacting base wage offers.
Creciendo Consultores $93,856
+0.8%
Reflects stabilized pricing equilibrium for commercial construction roles in this region.
Business Services Industry $120,931
+29.8%
Pay variances are driven by organizational scale, specialized skill requirements, or geographic cost-of-living factors.
Need More Granular Data? The analysis above provides a high-level market overview. To benchmark specific job codes, adjust for real-time cost-of-living changes, or access verified HR-reported datasets, upgrade to Salary.com for Business. Precision matters when building your compensation strategy.

Employee Reviews: Working at Design for America

Considering a career at Design for America? Explore authentic employee reviews to learn about the work environment, career growth opportunities, pay transparency and benefits. These first-hand insights can help you set realistic compensation expectations and make informed career decisions.
Benefits are okay, not the best. My workload feels balanced and manageable. Management values input and provides clear direction. While it isn’t the most exciting place, it's reliable and professional. There are formal channels for submitting ideas, and good suggestions actually get implemented. It’s a simple yet powerful way the company shows it respects our time off and encourages a healthy bala...
I genuinely enjoy coming to work and feel motivated by the culture, leadership, and people I interact with every day. They’ve put thought into the layout, encouraging both collaboration and focused work. Managers provide clear direction and trust you to get the job done. It feels great to be part of a forward-thinking company that isn't afraid to evolve.
Our team meetings are efficient and purposeful. , they've perfected how to integrate new hires smoothly. I’m so grateful for the generous paid time off. I enjoy the sense of community here—people genuinely support each other.

Design for America Overview

Website
www.designforamerica.com
Founded In
2009
Employees
<25 employees
Industry
Business Services
Headquarter Address
2133 Sheridan Rd Evanston Illinois IL 60201
Revenue
<$5 Million
Phone Number
+1 8474915839
Social Media
About Design for America
Design for America is a national network of campus studios using design innovation for good. DFA shapes the next generation of social innovators.

What Benefits Does Design for America Offer Beyond Salary?

A competitive compensation package is more than just a salary. Design for America offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial future, and overall well-being. Below are the most common key benefits:
Social Security
401(K)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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What Is the Cost of Living Near Evanston?

Understanding the cost of living near Evanston is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Design for America.
Evanston's Cost of Living Index is approximately 123.7 (23.7% more expensive than US average; 31.9% more than IL average). North Shore Chicago suburb (Northwestern Univ.), very desirable, high housing costs. Pace bus, CTA Purple Line, Metra. When planning your budget based on a salary from Design for America, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $1,700 - $2,600+ A significant portion of Design for America salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $140 - $230 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation Pace/CTA/Metra (varies) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $440 - $660 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $450 - $800+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $410 - $760+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $3,140 - $5,050+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

FAQs of Design for America

1. What is the typical salary range (low to high) for most roles at Design for America?

The typical annual salary range for most roles at Design for America is approximately from $81,867 to $105,380. It's important to remember that these are overall averages, actual salaries vary significantly based on specific job titles, years of experience, skills, and location.

2. How much does Design for America pay compared to HRH Search?

The average annual salary at Design for America is $93,139, or an hourly wage of $45, in comparison to HRH Search which pays $85,998 per year or $41 per hour.

3. Do salaries differ significantly between departments at Design for America?

Yes, salaries often differ between departments at Design for America due to varying market demand for specific skill sets and the nature of the roles. For example, technical roles in Engineering or IT may command different salary ranges compared to roles in Marketing or Human Resources.

4. How does experience level affect salary at Design for America?

Experience level is a significant factor in determining salary at Design for America, as it is with most employers. Generally, employees with more years of relevant experience and a proven track record can command higher salaries. For example, a senior-level role will typically have a higher pay band than an entry-level or mid-career position within the same job family.

5. How can I determine if a salary offer from Design for America in Evanston is fair given the local cost of living?

To determine if a salary offer from Design for America in Evanston is fair, first compare the gross salary to our data for similar roles at Design for America and its competitors (see our similar company salaries section) . Then, critically, use our "Cost of Living Insights for Evanston" to understand its purchasing power.

6. What factors influence salary increases at Design for America?

Salary increases at Design for America are likely influenced by a combination of factors, including: individual employee performance against set goals, overall company performance and profitability, budget availability, changes in the market rate for similar roles (market adjustments), and sometimes cost-of-living increases.