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Sound Designer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Vistex Technical Instructional Designer is responsible for creating engaging and effective training ... Apply sound project management and instructional design principles that motivate participants and ...

Vistex Technical Instructional Designer is responsible for creating engaging and effective training ... Apply sound project management and instructional design principles that motivate participants and ...

Interior Designer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$69K - $108K/yr

As an Interior Designer at DLR Group, you will play a versatile role in our Interiors team, with ... Develop creative and technically sound solutions to design challenges, ensuring design excellence

Vistex Technical Instructional Designer is responsible for creating engaging and effective training ... Apply sound project management and instructional design principles that motivate participants and ...

Showing results 21-40

Sound Designer information

See Illinois salary details

$63K

$81.2K

$98.4K

How much do sound designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for sound designer in Illinois is $81,236.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,200.00 and $90,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a sound designer?

A sound designer works to create and assemble sound effects for a video or audio production. Depending on the medium, you may produce a variety of different audio clips. You typically work closely with the director and other sound technicians to ensure all the audio comes together in a cohesive way and supports the creative goals of the production. As a sound designer, you may source special effects from third parties or find ways to create and record them yourself.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a sound designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Sound Designer, you need a strong background in audio engineering, acoustics, and music theory, often supported by a relevant degree or professional training. Proficiency with digital audio workstations (DAWs) like Pro Tools, Logic Pro, and industry-standard sound libraries is essential. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication enable standout collaboration with directors and production teams. These skills and qualities are crucial for producing immersive and high-quality soundscapes that enhance the overall impact of media projects.

What are some common challenges sound designers face when collaborating with other departments on a project?

Sound Designers often collaborate closely with directors, game developers, or video editors, which can present challenges such as aligning creative vision and managing feedback from multiple stakeholders. Balancing technical constraints, like file formats or hardware limitations, with artistic goals is a frequent hurdle. Effective communication and flexibility are essential, as last-minute script changes or edits may require rapid sound adjustments. Building strong relationships with other departments helps ensure the final audio fits seamlessly into the overall project.

What is the difference between Sound Designer vs Sound Editor?

AspectSound DesignerSound Editor
CredentialsTypically holds a degree in audio production, sound design, or related fieldOften has similar educational background, sometimes with additional editing certifications
Work EnvironmentWorks in film, video games, advertising, and multimedia projects, creating original soundscapesPrimarily works in post-production, editing and assembling sound recordings
Industry UsageUsed across entertainment, media, and advertising industriesCommonly employed in film, TV, and video game post-production

While both roles involve working with audio, a Sound Designer creates original sound elements and atmospheres, whereas a Sound Editor focuses on editing and assembling existing audio recordings. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the audio industry.

How much money do sound designers make?

Sound designers typically earn a median annual salary of around $50,000 to $80,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. Those working in film, video games, or advertising may have higher earning potential, especially with specialized skills and advanced equipment knowledge.

Is sound design a good career?

Sound design is a viable career for those interested in audio production, requiring skills in audio editing, mixing, and familiarity with software like Pro Tools or Ableton. It offers opportunities in film, video games, advertising, and theater, often involving project-based work and collaboration with creative teams.

What are the most commonly searched types of Sound Designer jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Sound Designer jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Sound Designer jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Sound Designer job openings:

Infographic showing various Sound Designer job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,236 per year, or $39.1 per hour.

Instructional Designer / Content Developer

AbbVie

North Chicago, IL • On-site

$65K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago


AbbVie rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 101 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

15th of 86 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

Company Description
About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
Job Description
AbbVie OneHUB's People Excellence team is seeking a creative and collaborative Instructional Designer who's passionate about problem-solving and learning and who's eager to design engaging, high-quality learning experiences across a variety of media. This role will support the development of eLearning courses and programs, videos, job aids, graphics, simulations, and other learning deliverables that help close knowledge and skill gaps within and across business functions. The ideal candidate brings strong foundational instructional design skills, modern digital content creation capabilities, passion for collaboration, and a learner-centered mindset. While this role will work with guidance and support from the manager and more senior team members, the Instructional Designer is expected to contribute independently to content development, manage assigned work with increasing ownership, and collaborate effectively with SMEs and cross-functional partners. This role reports to the Sr. Manager, OneHUB People Excellence and has no direct reports.
Responsibilities
  • Design and develop engaging learning content including eLearning modules, videos, graphics, simulations, job aids, and other learning assets aligned to adult learning principles and corporate learning standards.
  • Translate complex business or process information into clear, learner-friendly experiences that support knowledge transfer, skill building, and performance improvement.
  • Support project execution and delivery by managing assigned tasks, tracking milestones, communicating status, and escalating risks or dependencies as needed.
  • Partner with SMEs and business stakeholders to gather input, validate content accuracy, and help define learning needs and appropriate instructional approaches.
  • Apply instructional design best practices and design thinking to create learning solutions that are effective, visually polished, and aligned with identified business objectives.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to enhance learning quality, learner engagement, and training/learning efficiency.
  • Use contemporary authoring and design tools to build modern, high-quality learning assets that reflect current trends in digital learning, media, and storytelling.
  • Monitor and assess learning effectiveness through feedback, completion data, or other basic evaluation methods and help identify opportunities for improvement.
  • Communicate clearly and proactively with the manager, SMEs, and project partners regarding progress, questions, decisions, and potential challenges.
  • Demonstrate adaptability and collaboration in a dynamic environment, balancing multiple priorities while maintaining quality and responsiveness.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree required, preferably in Learning and Development, Instructional Design, Organizational Development, Adult Education, Communications, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
  • Minimum 2-3 years of experience in adult learning, instructional design, training development, or a related field; pharma or highly regulated industry experience preferred.
  • Strong foundational knowledge of instructional design principles and adult learning theory, with the ability to apply those principles in practical, business-focused ways.
  • Demonstrated proficiency with contemporary content development tools and techniques, including eLearning authoring tools, graphic design tools, video creation/editing tools, and/or simulation development tools.
  • Ability to rapidly develop high-quality digital learning assets that are visually engaging, instructionally sound, and aligned to audience needs.
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to work effectively with SMEs, business partners, and cross-functional team members.
  • Solid project coordination and time management skills with the ability to manage assigned work, meet deadlines, and seek support appropriately.
  • Demonstrated problem-solving ability and sound judgment, including the ability to identify issues, ask thoughtful questions, evaluate options, and recommend practical solutions.
  • Interest in emerging learning and design trends, with a willingness to experiment with new tools, formats, and creative approaches.
  • Ability to work onsite 3 days per week in Abbott Park and collaborate in a team-based environment.

Additional Information
Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:
  • The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
  • We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
  • This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs.

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company's sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.
AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.
US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html

What AbbVie employees say

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About AbbVie

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women's health, and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Industry

Scientific research and development services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

North Chicago, IL, US

Year founded

2013