Chief Design Officer Salary in Near North Side, Illinois
Near North Side is home to influential ad agencies and architecture firms. High demand for design leadership pushes salaries above the Illinois average, driven by cost of living and regional competition.
Salary by experience level
Entry-level (0-2 years)
Salary range (per year)
$160,000 to $205,000
Average (per year)
$182,500
Recent hires at this level often work in luxury retail, finance, or emerging tech startups.
Mid-level (3-5 years)
Salary range (per year)
$205,000 to $250,000
Average (per year)
$227,500
Oversee design strategy, mentor junior designers, and align visual projects with business goals.
Senior (6-9 years)
Salary range (per year)
$250,000 to $310,000
Average (per year)
$280,000
Major digital initiatives and the creative vision of large Chicago-headquartered corporations are typically led by senios.
Principal/Lead (10+ years)
Salary range (per year)
$310,000+
Principal-level officers often report directly to executive boards at Fortune 500s or lead multi-disciplinary design operations.
Hourly Rates
For freelance or contract work, hourly rates are typically higher than equivalent salaried positions.
Junior
$80 - $120
per hour
Mid-level
$130 - $180
per hour
Senior
$190 - $260
per hour