Graphic Designer Pay

Crystal Lake vs Peoria: Graphic Designer Salary (2026)

Compare graphic designer salaries between Crystal Lake, IL and Peoria, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Crystal Lake, IL
$55,562
$26.71/hr
Peoria, IL
$58,347
$28.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCrystal Lake, ILPeoria, IL
Median Salary$55,562$58,347
Hourly Rate$26.71$28.05
Entry Level (P10)$36,780$39,184
25th Percentile$44,129$45,716
75th Percentile$71,120$73,344
Top Earner (P90)$86,122$91,226
Total Employed9150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Crystal Lake ($55,562) and Peoria ($58,347) graphic designer salaries.Crystal LakePeoriaMedian Salary$55,562$58,347Entry Level (P10)$36,780$39,184Top Earner (P90)$86,122$91,226US Median $65,075

Verdict

Peoria, IL offers better overall compensation for graphic designers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Crystal Lake.

The salary gap between Crystal Lake and Peoria is $2,785 (5.01%). Peoria's median is -10.34% compared to the US national median of $65,075.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Crystal Lake spans $49,342,Peoria spans $52,042. Peoria has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced graphic designers.

Crystal Lake
P10 (Entry)$36,780
P25$44,129
Median$55,562
P75$71,120
P90 (Top)$86,122
Peoria
P10 (Entry)$39,184
P25$45,716
Median$58,347
P75$73,344
P90 (Top)$91,226

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Peoria ($63,955 effective) pays 11.77% more than Crystal Lake ($57,221 effective).

Crystal Lake
Nominal: $55,562
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $57,221
Peoria
Nominal: $58,347
CoL Index: 91.231
Adjusted: $63,955

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Crystal Lake if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Peoria if…

  • Higher median salary ($58,347/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($91,226)
  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,955)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, graphic designer salaries in Crystal Lake grew -6.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 32.2% growth in Peoria over the same period.

Crystal Lake, IL

+-6.2%

$57,328 (2024) → $53,756 (2025)

Peoria, IL

+32.2%

$42,690 (2019) → $56,450 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays graphic designers more: Crystal Lake or Peoria?

Peoria has a higher median graphic designer salary at $58,347/year, compared to Crystal Lake at $55,562/year — a difference of $2,785 (5.01%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Crystal Lake and Peoria?

Crystal Lake graphic designers earn $26.71/hr while Peoria hygienists earn $28.05/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Crystal Lake to Peoria as a graphic designer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Crystal Lake and Peoria. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Crystal Lake = $57,221, Peoria = $63,955), job availability (9 vs 150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level graphic designers earn in Crystal Lake vs Peoria?

Entry-level (10th percentile) graphic designers earn $36,780 in Crystal Lake and $39,184 in Peoria. The Peoria area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, MFA

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience in graphic design. They specialize in branding and visual identity. Their work includes freelance projects for small businesses.

Clinically reviewed by Amina Patel, BFAData verified by Carlos Rodriguez, MA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.36% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MFA, a licensed graphic designer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov