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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Design Director in Illinois is $143,740 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $69.
However, a Design Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Design Director Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $156,956 | $13,080 | $3,018 | $75 |
| Average | $143,740 | $11,978 | $2,764 | $69 |
| 25th Percentile | $125,294 | $10,441 | $2,410 | $60 |
Schawk USA LLC - Chicago, IL
CourtAvenue - Chicago, IL
Sterling Engineering Inc. - Chicago, IL
Eliyan - Mundelein, IL
A Design Director'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.
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 Design Directors. 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 Design Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 125% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 60% above the average. In contrast, Design Director positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Design Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $229,983 | $111.0 | 60% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $215,609 | $104.0 | 50% |
| Healthcare | $194,049 | $93.0 | 35% |
| Biotechnology | $186,862 | $90.0 | 30% |
| Media | $179,675 | $86.0 | 25% |
Understanding how a Design Director'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 | $156,956 | $13,080 | $3,018 | $75 |
| Average | $143,740 | $11,978 | $2,764 | $69 |
| 25th Percentile | $125,294 | $10,441 | $2,410 | $60 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Design Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Hyatt Corporate
Chicago, IL
Hyatt Corporate | Chicago, IL
Hyatt Hotels Corporation seeks an enthusiastic Design & Construction Director to join our Essentials Portfolio team.In this role, you will be collaborating... more
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Barry-Wehmiller
Oak Brook, IL
Barry-Wehmiller | Oak Brook, IL
Project Director - AECYou will join one of our 45 offices in the US, be part of a committed team of over 1500 professionals, and work in teams and directly... more
6 Days Ago
Closets by Design Atlanta
PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA
Closets by Design Atlanta | PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA
Benefits: Work close to home No cold calling Health and Retirement Benefits Pre-set appointments (new and repeat clients) Ongoing mentorship 1 week paid sa... more
5 Days Ago
Lyft
NEW YORK CITY, NY
Lyft | NEW YORK CITY, NY
At Lyft, our purpose is to serve and connect. We aim to achieve this by cultivating a work environment where all team members belong and have the opportuni... more
3 Days Ago
Piedmont Healthcare
BOGART, GA
Piedmont Healthcare
AUGUSTA, GA
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