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As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Architect in Illinois is $96,249 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.
However, an Architect's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Architect Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $105,257 | $8,771 | $2,024 | $51 |
| Average | $96,249 | $8,021 | $1,851 | $46 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,884 | $7,324 | $1,690 | $42 |
BSI Engineering LLC - Oak Brook, IL
Elik Homes and Remodeling - La Grange, IL
Verisk - Burr Ridge, IL
NextGen | GTA: A Kelly Telecom Company - Chicago, IL
An Architect's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Architect's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Architect... Level Architect | $63,872 |
| Architect... Level Architect | $77,570 |
| Architect... Level Architect | $95,587 |
| Architect... Level Architect | $114,335 |
| Architect... Level Architect | $134,473 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Architects. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Architect roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit and Construction sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Architect positions in Retail & Wholesale or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Architect as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $120,311 | $58.0 | 25% |
| Construction | $105,874 | $51.0 | 10% |
Understanding how an Architect's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $105,257 | $8,771 | $2,024 | $51 |
| Average | $96,249 | $8,021 | $1,851 | $46 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,884 | $7,324 | $1,690 | $42 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Architect job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
rwedesignbuild
Downers Grove, IL
rwedesignbuild | Downers Grove, IL
Job Description. Job Description. RWE Planning + Design is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented. Junior Architect. with. 2–5 years of professional exper... more
1 Day Ago
Airoom Companies, LLC
Lincolnwood, IL
Airoom Companies, LLC | Lincolnwood, IL
Airoom Companies, LLC is seeking a Senior Architect to lead design on high-end residential remodeling, additions, and new construction across the Chicago a... more
1 Day Ago
Cohort AI
Naperville, IL
Cohort AI | Naperville, IL
About Cohort AI Cohort AI is an applied AI company building intelligent, production-grade systems that help organizations transform complex data into real-... more
2 Days Ago
Stanley Consultants
Chicago, IL
Stanley Consultants | Chicago, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Stanley Consultants is an award-winning and industry-leading global consulting engineering firm, with an unmatched commit... more
3 Days Ago
Pampered Chef LTD
Addison, IL
Pampered Chef LTD | Addison, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Description. Our engineering teams build primarily in a modern, composable architecture while continuing to support and e... more
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AbbVie
North Chicago, IL
AbbVie | North Chicago, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Company Description. About AbbVie. AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that so... more
3 Days Ago
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