As of May 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Lighting Designer in Chicago, IL is $47,706, equivalent to $23 per hour, $917 weekly, or $3,976 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Lighting Designer in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.
Annually Salaries for Lighting Designer in Chicago, IL vary widely, spanning from $41,167 to $59,025. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($44,283) and 75th percentile ($53,631), while top earners (90th percentile) make $59,025 per year. This $9,348 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Attention to Detail or Housekeeping, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.
Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, Chicago Lighting Designer often earn 1.4% higher than national averages. However, Chicago currently ranks 249 statewide for Lighting Designer job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.
