Construction & Real Estate Rockford, IL Pop. 148,655

Architect Salary in Rockford, Illinois

The median architect salary in Rockford, IL is $67,929 per year, which is 18% below the national median and 13.7% below the Illinois state average.

City Median
$67,929
vs State Avg
$-10,769
vs National
$-14,911
Cost of Living
82%

Architect Pay in Rockford: What to Expect (2026)

Rockford offers a median architect salary of $67,929, which is $10,769 below the Illinois state average of $78,698. Compared to the national median of $82,840, Rockford pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Rockford's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 82% of the national average. This means the $67,929 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $82,840 in an average-cost city. This makes Rockford an attractive option for architects seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for architects in Rockford spans from $41,000 at the 10th percentile to $121,360 at the 90th percentile — a $80,360 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $42,640, while senior architects with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $114,800. With a population of 148,655, Rockford is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Architect Salary in Rockford by Experience

In Rockford, an entry-level architect earns around $42,640, while experienced professionals earn up to $114,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$42,640
$-9,360 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$69,700
$-15,300 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$114,800
$-25,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rockford, IL

Percentile Rockford
10th Percentile $41,000
25th Percentile $52,480
Median (50th) $67,929
75th Percentile $91,840
90th Percentile $121,360

Architect Salary in Other Illinois Cities

Naperville, IL
$89,467
Pop. 149,540
Chicago, IL
$88,639
Pop. 2,693,976
Aurora, IL
$78,698
Pop. 197,757
Springfield, IL
$70,414
Pop. 114,394

How to Become a Architect in Rockford

Education

Most architect positions require a bachelor's degree. Rockford and the surrounding Illinois area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

AutoCAD/RevitBuilding DesignBuilding Codes3D ModelingProject ManagementSustainability

Job Outlook

Nationally, architect employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Rockford may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Architect Jobs in Rockford

Browse open architect positions in Rockford, IL:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Architect Salary in Rockford

How much does a Architect make in Rockford, IL? ▼
The median architect salary in Rockford, Illinois is $67,929 per year, which is 18% below the national median of $82,840. Salaries range from $41,000 (10th percentile) to $121,360 (90th percentile).
How much does a Architect make per hour in Rockford? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $67,929, a architect in Rockford earns approximately $33 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rockford compare to the Illinois state average for architect pay? ▼
Rockford's median architect salary of $67,929 is 13.7% below the Illinois state average of $78,698. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Rockford, IL? ▼
Rockford has a cost of living index of 82% compared to the national average. This means a architect salary of $67,929 in Rockford has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a architect in Rockford? ▼
Most architect positions in Rockford require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include AutoCAD/Revit, Building Design, Building Codes, 3D Modeling. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.