Architects who are partners in large firms usually make the most money. However, it takes many years of experience to become a partner. For self-employed architects, expenses may be higher than earnings when first starting out.
Most employers offer health insurance, paid vacation, and a retirement plan.
Architects, except landscape and naval (SOC 17-1011)
| Location |
Pay Period | |
||
| 25% |
Median |
75% |
||
| Illinois | Hourly | $34.78 | $39.17 | $50.12 |
| Yearly | $72,344 | $81,476 | $104,228 | |
| Champaign Area | Hourly | $32.65 | $38.76 | $48.35 |
| Yearly | $67,919 | $80,617 | $100,561 | |
| Charleston-Effingham-Centralia Area | Hourly | $33.34 | $39.11 | $71.57 |
| Yearly | $69,358 | $81,353 | $148,873 | |
| Cook County | Hourly | $37.36 | $39.08 | $50.07 |
| Yearly | $77,705 | $81,305 | $104,152 | |
| Dekalb-Elgin-Aurora Area | Hourly | $34.25 | $38.92 | $49.97 |
| Yearly | $71,227 | $80,951 | $103,941 | |
| Du Page County | Hourly | $34.25 | $39.41 | $50.20 |
| Yearly | $71,227 | $81,979 | $104,415 | |
| Edwardsville Area | Hourly | $29.22 | $45.39 | $59.18 |
| Yearly | $60,786 | $94,420 | $123,078 | |
| Kankakee-Morris-Pontiac Area | Hourly | $34.25 | $47.62 | $62.58 |
| Yearly | $71,227 | $99,053 | $130,158 | |
| Lake County | Hourly | $34.25 | $39.14 | $49.76 |
| Yearly | $71,227 | $81,392 | $103,504 | |
| Northwest Illinois Area | Hourly | $29.46 | $36.33 | $49.10 |
| Yearly | $61,273 | $75,566 | $102,127 | |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area | Hourly | $32.51 | $41.97 | $52.68 |
| Yearly | $67,611 | $87,299 | $109,572 | |
| Rock Island-Moline Area | Hourly | $40.90 | $48.32 | $56.89 |
| Yearly | $85,084 | $100,503 | $118,318 | |
| Rockford Area | Hourly | $33.12 | $41.80 | $54.11 |
| Yearly | $68,876 | $86,942 | $112,551 | |
| Springfield Area | Hourly | $39.97 | $52.23 | $60.12 |
| Yearly | $83,132 | $108,644 | $125,042 | |
| United States | Hourly | $36.59 | $46.49 | $59.28 |
| Yearly | $76,110 | $96,690 | $123,300 | |