Athletic Director Salary in Chicago, Illinois

How much does an Athletic Director make in Chicago, IL?

As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for an Athletic Director in Chicago, IL is $139,262. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $79,817 to a high of $231,890, with most professionals earning between $108,146 and $187,747.

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Salary range for an Athletic Director

$108,146 to $187,747

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What is an Athletic Director?

An Athletic Director (commonly "athletics director" or "AD") is an administrator at many clubs or institutions, like colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, who oversees the work of coaches and related staff involved in athletic programs....

Source: Wikipedia (as of 09/06/2019). Read more from Wikipedia

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Job Openings for Athletic Director in Chicago, IL

What does an Athletic Director do?

Common responsibilities of an Athletic Director

Develop and implement strategic, integrated marketing plans for Intercollegiate Athletics to enhance visibility, invigorate the brand, increase attendance, and build support for the department and the University, in collaboration with the Division of Marketing and Communications.

January 16, 2023

Demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills combined with the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and student-athletes having a range of backgrounds, interests, and perspectives.

March 06, 2023

Creates original creative content for use on athletics web pages, emails, social media, donor proposals and sales flyers that enhances profile of Wake Forest Athletics and invites readers to take action.

April 03, 2023

Promote a positive image of the athletics program and the College by participating in community and professional organizations and representing the College as a spokesperson at appropriate events, professional meetings, campus committees and in community activities as appropriate.

April 10, 2023

Assist the Director of Athletics in the budget management process while also working closely with the business office in completing daily, weekly and monthly task to ensure effective budget management for assigned sports.

April 18, 2023

Provide oversight of Athletics Marketing and Communications, Ticket Office, Development, Sponsorships, and Game Operations to include developing external vision for media relations, Athletic Director's Club fundraising activities, overseeing corporate marketing strategies, corporate suite and premium seating sales.

May 19, 2023

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Athletic Director Salary By Experience Levels in Chicago, IL

How much should you be earning in Athletic Director in Chicago, IL based on your current experience?

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RELEVANT JOB EXPERIENCE

Length of experience is a pay differentiator. Those with greater experience may have an advantage in negotiating salary. For those with less experience, other factors such as education or special skills could impact your pay. Please visit Professional Salary Report for more details.

Athletic Director Salary By Level of Education in Chicago, IL

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LEVEL OF EDUCATION

Depending on the job, educational levels may have a significant impact on pay levels. Be informed and understand how things like education and certifications can help to increase potential earnings for the career you are interested in. Please visit Professional Salary Report for more details.

Average Salary Range for Athletic Director in Chicago, IL

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

108146

187747

139262

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

108172

187958

139542

What is the average salary for Athletic Director in 2025?

These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Athletic Director in Chicago, IL. The base salary for Athletic Director ranges from $108,146 to $187,747 with the average base salary of $139,262. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $108,172 to $187,958 with the average total cash compensation of $139,542.

View Average Salary for Athletic Director as table

	Average Salary	Average Salary Range
Base Salary	$139,262	$108,146 - $187,747
Bonus	$280	$26 - $211
Total Pay	$139,542	$108,172 - $187,958

* Base Salary represents gross income before taxes and deductions. It does not include additional pay such as benefits, bonuses, profit sharing or commissions.

* Total Pay combines base salary, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job.

Athletic Director Salary Near Chicago, IL

CITY, STATE	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE	COMPARE TO Chicago, IL
CITY, STATE Cicero, IL	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $108,146 - $187,747	COMPARE TO Chicago, IL 0%
CITY, STATE Oak Park, IL	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $108,146 - $187,747	COMPARE TO Chicago, IL 0%
CITY, STATE Oak Lawn, IL	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $108,021 - $187,529	COMPARE TO Chicago, IL
CITY, STATE Evanston, IL	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $108,104 - $187,674	COMPARE TO Chicago, IL
CITY, STATE Skokie, IL	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $108,104 - $187,674	COMPARE TO Chicago, IL
CITY, STATE Arlington Heights, IL	AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $105,886 - $183,823	COMPARE TO Chicago, IL

See salaries for Athletic Director in locations close to Chicago, IL. Pay for the same job may vary based on the location and on the location and on other factors such as the size of company, the industry, and other local conditions.

About Chicago, Illinois

Chicago (/ʃɪˈkɑːɡoʊ/ (listen), locally also /-ˈkɔː-/), officially the City of Chicago, is the most populous city in Illinois, as well as the third most populous city in the United States. With an estimated population of 2,716,450 (2017), it is the most populous city in the Midwest. Chicago is the principal city of the Chicago metropolitan area, often referred to as Chicagoland, and the county seat of Cook County, the second most populous county in the United States. The metropolitan area, at nearly 10 million people, is the third-largest in the United States, and the fourth largest in North A...

Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia

View Salary for Similar Jobs to Athletic Director in Chicago, IL

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JOB TITLE	LOCATION	MINIMUM SALARY	MAXIMUM SALARY
JOB TITLE Assistant Athletic Director - Compliance	LOCATION Chicago, IL	MINIMUM SALARY $62,467	MAXIMUM SALARY $87,907
JOB TITLE Associate Athletic Director	LOCATION Chicago, IL	MINIMUM SALARY $108,146	MAXIMUM SALARY $187,747
JOB TITLE Director Of Athletic Communications	LOCATION Chicago, IL	MINIMUM SALARY $60,448	MAXIMUM SALARY $85,066
JOB TITLE Assistant Athletic Director	LOCATION Chicago, IL	MINIMUM SALARY $98,427	MAXIMUM SALARY $144,649
JOB TITLE Assistant Athletic Director - Academic Compliance	LOCATION Chicago, IL	MINIMUM SALARY $67,315	MAXIMUM SALARY $94,610
JOB TITLE Assistant Director of Athletic Facilities	LOCATION Chicago, IL	MINIMUM SALARY $55,264	MAXIMUM SALARY $69,801

The Athletic Director job could be listed using titles that are not exactly the same, but actually are for the same or very similar job. Here are some job titles in Chicago, IL that might be a good fit for the type of job and salary you are looking for.

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