Media & Communications Chicago, IL Pop. 2,693,976

Videographer Salary in Chicago, Illinois

The median videographer salary in Chicago, IL is $66,340 per year, which is 7.0% above the national median and 12.6% above the Illinois state average.

City Median
$66,340
vs State Avg
+$7,440
vs National
+$4,340
Cost of Living
107%

Videographer Pay in Chicago: What to Expect (2026)

Chicago offers a median videographer salary of $66,340, which is $7,440 above the Illinois state average of $58,900. Compared to the national median of $62,000, Chicago pays above average for this role.

Chicago's cost of living is 107% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for videographers in Chicago spans from $37,450 at the 10th percentile to $119,840 at the 90th percentile — a $82,390 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $40,660, while senior videographers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $112,350. As a major metro area with a population of 2,693,976, Chicago typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Videographer Salary in Chicago by Experience

In Chicago, an entry-level videographer earns around $40,660, while experienced professionals earn up to $112,350 per year. The local cost of living index is 107% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$40,660
+$2,660 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$68,480
+$4,480 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$112,350
+$7,350 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Chicago, IL

Percentile Chicago
10th Percentile $37,450
25th Percentile $49,220
Median (50th) $66,340
75th Percentile $90,950
90th Percentile $119,840

Videographer Salary in Other Illinois Cities

How to Become a Videographer in Chicago

Education

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

Key Skills

Video ProductionPremiere ProAfter EffectsLightingAudio RecordingStorytelling

Job Outlook

Nationally, videographer employment is projected to grow 12% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Chicago may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Videographer Jobs in Chicago

Browse open videographer positions in Chicago, IL:

Frequently Asked Questions: Videographer Salary in Chicago

How much does a Videographer make in Chicago, IL? ▼
The median videographer salary in Chicago, Illinois is $66,340 per year, which is 7.0% above the national median of $62,000. Salaries range from $37,450 (10th percentile) to $119,840 (90th percentile).
How much does a Videographer make per hour in Chicago? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $66,340, a videographer in Chicago earns approximately $32 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Chicago compare to the Illinois state average for videographer pay? ▼
Chicago's median videographer salary of $66,340 is 12.6% above the Illinois state average of $58,900. The local cost of living index is 107% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Chicago, IL? ▼
Chicago has a cost of living index of 107% compared to the national average. This means a videographer salary of $66,340 in Chicago has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a videographer in Chicago? ▼
Most videographer positions in Chicago require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Video Production, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Lighting. The job market is projected to grow 12% nationally over the next decade.