Producers and Directors salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Producers and Directors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $85,040 a year ($40.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,590 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,810 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $90,360. Pay here is 5% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $81,080. There are 0.57 producers and directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.62). The average (mean) salary is $100,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for producers and directors in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,310 | $21.30 |
| 25th percentile | $64,010 | $30.77 |
| Median | $85,040 | $40.89 |
| 75th percentile | $121,790 | $58.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $172,810 | $83.08 |
| Average (mean) | $100,930 | $48.52 |
Half of producers and directors earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,086.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,543.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,270.77 |
| Weekly | $1,635.38 |
| Hourly | $40.89 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $85,040 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Producers and Directors salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $82,750 | 670 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $67,620 | 320 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $66,420 | 50 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $61,350 | 360 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $61,220 | 750 |
| Evansville, IN | $59,010 | 90 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $57,260 | 80 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $56,640 | 40 |
| Bloomington, IN | $55,370 | 40 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $55,190 | 60 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $47,600 | 90 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $45,780 | 30 |
| Peoria, IL | $43,080 | 60 |
| Rockford, IL | $41,250 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for producers and directors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $129,790 |
| New Jersey | $119,840 |
| New York | $107,550 |
| District of Columbia | $104,270 |
| Connecticut | $88,260 |
| Oregon | $87,460 |
| Rhode Island | $84,250 |
| Washington | $81,550 |
| Illinois | $81,080 |
| Massachusetts | $80,970 |
See Producers and Directors pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,350 | — |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $53.16 |
| Actor | — | $20.00 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $51,600 | — |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $21.62 |
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | — | $22.87 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $50,530 | $24.29 |
| Graphic Designer | $66,490 | $31.97 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $77,050 | $37.04 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,250 | $19.35 |
| Art Director | $104,570 | $50.28 |
| Editor | $80,380 | $38.64 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $63,780 | $30.66 |
| Interior Designer | $76,570 | $36.81 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-2012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a producers and directors make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for producers and directors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $85,040 a year, or $40.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid producers and directors make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of producers and directors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $172,810 a year. The top 25% earn $121,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for producers and directors in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,310 a year, and a quarter of producers and directors earn $64,010 or less.
How many producers and directors work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 2,590 producers and directors are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.