High-paying architecture jobs in Chicago
The 141 architecture jobs listed below pay well, with salaries between $67,218 and $180,250 per year. Interior Designer, Architect and Architectural Designer are among the most popular high-paying roles in Chicago, IL.
Job title
Updated Oct 09, 2026
Job title
Chicago, IL
Illinois
Job openings (Chicago)
Principal Architect
Chicago
$180,250
per year
Illinois
$173,898
per year
Lead Architect
Chicago
$140,797
per year
Illinois
$141,135
per year
Senior Architect
Chicago
$113,503
per year
Illinois
$117,443
per year
Architect
Chicago
$102,610
per year
Illinois
$107,984
per year
Interior Designer
Chicago
$77,930
per year
Illinois
$76,009
per year
Architectural Designer
Chicago
$74,317
per year
Illinois
$77,264
per year
Lighting Designer
Chicago
$73,415
per year
Illinois
$72,998
per year
Survey Technician
Chicago
$73,334
per year
Illinois
$86,408
per year
Drafter
Chicago
$69,547
per year
Illinois
$72,948
per year
CAD Technician
Chicago
$67,218
per year
Illinois
$64,934
per year
Job descriptions below are for educational purposes. Please refer to the employer's job description for complete details.
-
Principal Architect
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Principal Architects lead architectural firms, focusing on strategic vision, design excellence, and client relationships while managing project portfolios and mentoring staff. Strong leadership, extensive experience, and innovative thinking are essential.
The top companies hiring Principal Architect in Chicago, IL are United Airlines (3 jobs), Humana (1 job), and HNTB Corporation (1 job).
Currently, 32% of job openings offer remote or hybrid positions and 0% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 6 jobsAverage pay
Chicago
$180,250 per yearIllinois
$173,898 per yearSkills
- APIs
- AWS
- Agile
- Azure
- System design
-
Lead Architect
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Lead Architects design and oversee architectural projects, ensuring structural integrity and client specifications. Expertise in design software, creativity, and project management is essential.
The top companies hiring Lead Architect in Chicago, IL are JPMorganChase (2 jobs), Deloitte (1 job), and Zones (1 job).
Currently, 19% of job openings offer remote or hybrid positions and 1% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 5 jobsAverage pay
Chicago
$140,797 per yearIllinois
$141,135 per year -
Senior Architect
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Senior architects lead design projects, mentor junior staff and ensure high-quality architectural practices. They collaborate with clients and manage project goals. Extensive experience, leadership skills and strong design vision are paramount.
The top companies hiring Senior Architect in Chicago, IL are Woolpert (1 job), TYLin (1 job), and DLR Group (1 job).
Currently, 28% of job openings offer remote or hybrid positions and 0% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 7 jobsAverage pay
Chicago
$113,503 per yearIllinois
$117,443 per yearSkills
- AutoCAD
- Revit
- SketchUp
- Project management
- Construction
-
Architect
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Architects design buildings and spaces, combining functionality with aesthetics while collaborating with clients to create blueprints and oversee project execution. Creativity, technical knowledge and strong communication skills are essential in this role.
The top companies hiring Architect in Chicago, IL are Woolpert (4 jobs), Baker Barrios Architects (2 jobs), and Specialist Staffing Group (2 jobs).
Architect jobs take 91 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 20% of job openings offer remote or hybrid positions and 3% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 31 jobsAverage pay
Chicago
$102,610 per yearIllinois
$107,984 per yearSkills
- Project management
- Construction
- SketchUp
- CAD
- Drafting
-
Interior Designer
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Interior designers create functional, aesthetically pleasing spaces by collaborating with clients, drafting designs and selecting materials that meet their needs. Creativity, space planning and an understanding of color theory are essential skills for this role.
The top companies hiring Interior Designer in Chicago, IL are CannonDesign (3 jobs), KTGY Group, Inc. (3 jobs), and Baker Barrios Architects (3 jobs).
Interior Designer jobs take 151 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 13% of job openings offer remote or hybrid positions and 8% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 42 jobsAverage pay
Chicago
$77,930 per yearIllinois
$76,009 per yearSkills
- Interior design
- Color theory
- 3ds Max
- Project management
- SketchUp
-
Architectural Designer
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Architectural designers create building designs and layouts through all stages from concept to execution, integrating aesthetics with functionality. Creative thinking, technical knowledge and effective communication are essential in this role.
The top companies hiring Architectural Designer in Chicago, IL are Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (2 jobs), GFT (2 jobs), and Harley Ellis Devereaux (1 job).
Architectural Designer jobs take 74 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 21% of job openings offer remote or hybrid positions and 4% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 16 jobsAverage pay
Chicago
$74,317 per yearIllinois
$77,264 per yearSkills
- 3ds Max
- Schematics
- Construction
- Drafting
- SketchUp
-
Lighting Designer
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Lighting Designers create illumination plans for spaces, balancing aesthetics with functionality and energy efficiency, collaborating with architects and clients. Creativity, technical expertise, and knowledge of lighting systems are essential.
The top companies hiring Lighting Designer in Chicago, IL are IMEG (2 jobs), Jacobs (1 job), and CannonDesign (1 job).
Lighting Designer jobs take 29 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 20% of job openings offer remote or hybrid positions and 6% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 7 jobsAverage pay
Chicago
$73,415 per yearIllinois
$72,998 per year -
Survey Technician
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Survey technicians use specialized equipment and software to gather and analyze data for land surveys, helping to establish property boundaries and land features. Attention to detail, mathematical skills and knowledge of surveying principles are essential in this role.
The top companies hiring Survey Technician in Chicago, IL are AECOM (2 jobs), Keeley Construction (2 jobs), and Blew & Associates, P.A. (1 job).
Survey Technician jobs take 61 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 4% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 7 jobsAverage pay
Chicago
$73,334 per yearIllinois
$86,408 per yearSkills
- Land surveying
- GPS
- AutoCAD
- Civil 3D
- Civil engineering
-
Drafter
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Drafters create detailed technical drawings and plans from specifications provided by architects and engineers, ensuring accuracy and compliance with regulations. Key skills for this role include CAD software, precision and an understanding of building codes.
The top companies hiring Drafter in Chicago, IL are Sargent & Lundy (1 job), EDE Corporation (1 job), and Accurate Personnel (1 job).
Drafter jobs take 82 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 10% of job openings offer remote or hybrid positions and 3% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 8 jobsAverage pay
Chicago
$69,547 per yearIllinois
$72,948 per yearSkills
- AutoCAD
- Drafting
- CAD
- Revit
- Schematics
-
CAD Technician
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
CAD technicians collaborate with engineers and architects and produce detailed technical drawings and designs using software, ensuring accuracy in specifications. Proficiency in CAD software, attention to detail and technical knowledge are essential in this role.
The top companies hiring CAD Technician in Chicago, IL are Kimley-Horn (1 job), Primera Engineers (1 job), and DYNASTY GROUP (1 job).
CAD Technician jobs take 78 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 12% of job openings offer remote or hybrid positions and 2% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 12 jobsAverage pay
Chicago
$67,218 per yearIllinois
$64,934 per yearSkills
- AutoCAD
- CAD
- Drafting
- Revit
- Schematics