What is the average Director salary for Chicago, IL?
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As of March 01, 2026, the average Director salary in Chicago, IL is $195,190. The chart below represents localized salaries for some of our most popular Director job titles in Chicago, IL. Salaries can vary greatly depending on numerous factors, including position, location, years of experience, and level of education. Salary.com’s team of Certified Compensation Professionals analyzed survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at companies of all sizes and industries to compile a range of salaries for various Director job titles in Chicago, IL. Apply your personal criteria to one of the job titles below to get your personalized salary estimate.
Director Salaries in Chicago, IL
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Purchasing Director | $207,997 | $100.00 | Chicago, IL | March 01, 2026 |
| Channel Sales Director | $179,203 | $86.16 | Chicago, IL | March 01, 2026 |
| Sales Director | $221,121 | $106.31 | Chicago, IL | March 01, 2026 |
| Transportation Director | $194,990 | $93.75 | Chicago, IL | March 01, 2026 |
| Advertising Director | $206,541 | $99.30 | Chicago, IL | March 01, 2026 |
| Engineering Director | $221,212 | $106.35 | Chicago, IL | March 01, 2026 |
| Marketing Director | $202,085 | $97.16 | Chicago, IL | March 01, 2026 |
| Recruiting Director | $176,445 | $84.83 | Chicago, IL | March 01, 2026 |
| Manufacturing Director | $219,511 | $105.53 | Chicago, IL | March 01, 2026 |
| Art Director | $160,083 | $76.96 | Chicago, IL | March 01, 2026 |
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Directs the procurement and purchasing operations and strategy to provide the materials and services to meet organizational requirements for quality, volume, availability, and pricing. Evaluates and develops strategic supplier relationships, negotiates contracts, and implements systems for monitoring performance, assessing risk, and responding to changes in demand or disruptions in the supply chain. Collaborates with other functions to define current and future inventory requirements and manage inventory levels. Designs processes and systems and utilizes technical tools to analyze data and increase responsiveness to material demands. Incorporates auditing processes to ensure procurement and recordkeeping comply with any applicable industry or governmental regulations. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function. Purchasing Director Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:Director of Procurement, Purchasing Director
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Directs and oversees an organization's channel sales policies, objectives, and initiatives. Sets short- and long-term channel sales strategies and evaluates effectiveness of current programs. Recommends product or service enhancements to improve customer satisfaction and sales potential. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a director or head of a unit/department. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments. Channel Sales Director Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:Business Channel Director, Director of Channel Sales, Channel Sales DirectorCategory : Sales
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Directs the sales teams and supporting operations to implement the organizational sales strategy and drive revenue growth. Establishes and improves techniques, tools, and structures to support the sales process and meet defined business objectives. Oversees goal setting for departmental and group levels of the sales organization and uses data and technology to measure and monitor sales processes, identify issues, and enhance performance. Implements methods and systems to effectively analyze and monitor the industry, business environment, and competitors and expand the customer base. Uses market and customer insights to collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify and suggest new products. Monitors programs and resources to control expenditures and ensure budget adherence. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function. Sales Director Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:Sales Program Director, Strategic Sales Director, Sales Director
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Directs an organization's transportation operations to ensure efficiency, cost control, and compliance while managing teams and resources. Develops processes and policies to ensure transportation operations meet business objectives and comply with industry standards and local, state, and federal regulations. Maintains partner relationships and negotiates rates and terms with third-party logistics providers to ensure optimal pricing and contracted services meet expectations. Remains up to date with changing policies and regulations and plans and navigates changes to bring operations up to standard. Collaborates with supply and logistics teams to communicate and integrate transportation strategies across the organization. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to top management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function. Transportation Director Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:Transportation & Distribution Director, Transportation & Logistics Director, Transportation Director
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Directs and develops the strategy, plans, and tactics required to create advertising concepts and campaigns that deliver results and meet organizational objectives. Oversees the budget, expenditures, and resource allocation for all advertising campaigns. Identifies media channels and directs the placement of all advertisements and the development of promotional materials. Ensures consistent and effective branding and messaging in all forms of advertisements. Uses metrics and data analytics to measure campaign effectiveness and assess return on investment. Fosters innovation of new advertising methods and initiatives using advertising industry experience and competitive intelligence. Requires a bachelor's degree in marketing, advertising or equivalent. Typically reports to top management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function. Advertising Director Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:Director of Advertising and Brand, Strategic Advertising Director, Advertising Director
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Directs an organization's engineering activities to develop or improve technical products, systems, or processes that meet specified requirements and standards. Plans and oversees engineering projects through their entire lifecycle, including cost and requirement analysis, scheduling, and coordinating activities with stakeholders. Monitors schedules and deadlines and prioritizes projects to ensure timely delivery and customer satisfaction. Manages engineering costs and project budgets and identifies processes, technologies, or materials to improve cost-savings or engineering efficiencies. Develops policies and procedures to guide the design, development, and testing of new products or processes. Leads initiatives with other departments to research, plan, and schedule potential products, projects, or opportunities. Remains informed of new technologies and processes and implements changes to improve engineering capabilities. Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering or related discipline. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function. Engineering Director Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:General Engineering Director, Technical Engineering Director, Engineering DirectorCategory : Engineering
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Directs an organization's marketing objectives, strategies, programs, and policies. Translates the overall marketing vision into integrated business plans, tactics, projects, and deliverables. Assists with developing marketing goals, budgets, and strategies and ensures alignment with greater business goals. Oversees critical marketing functions, including market research, communications, and product planning. Develops operational processes and policies that streamline decision-making and promote collaboration between marketing functions. Monitors and controls budgets, resources, and teams to implement and execute short-term and long-term marketing plans. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function. Marketing Director Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:Executive Marketing Director, Marketing Operations Director, Marketing Director
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Plans, develops, and directs processes to attract, evaluate, and refer candidates for open positions through recruiting website, employee referrals, on-site recruiting and other sourcing methods. Develops and enhances and organization's recruiting program, policies, and procedures. Executes a strategy to position the organization as a preferred employer. Evaluates and communicates key metrics to develop appropriate recruitment strategies and ensure positions are filled efficiently and effectively. Maintains relationships with schools, advertisement, and recruitment agencies. Oversees the recruitment for senior level and executive positions. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to top management. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments. Recruiting Director Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:Employment Director, Staffing Director, Recruiting Director
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Directs manufacturing operations and management teams for plants and locations of an organization that support business goals. Incorporates the organizational strategy and plans for operational safety, regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and cost control policies and programs in manufacturing processes. Monitors production metrics and recommends process improvements, new technologies, and methods to maximize operational efficiency. Participates in workforce or labor relations negotiations and planning activities. Implements long-term plans for facilities, equipment, materials, technology, and workforce resources to maintain manufacturing capacity and processes. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function. Manufacturing Director Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:Director of Manufacturing, Manufacturing Process and Technology Director, Manufacturing Director
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Directs and develops the creative design and execution of visual communications to meet an organization's marketing or advertising objectives. Provides internal clients with design standards, tools, and guidance on communicating corporate image, branding, and identity. Leads the design and production operations of all visual elements including publications, infographics, and social content, that are deployed across digital, interactive and print. Stays current on latest trends. Develops a network of vendors, freelance artists, and designers to utilize for project support. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in art, graphic design or equivalent. Typically reports to top management. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments. Art Director Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:Art and Design Director, Art Director