Skip to main content
H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q3

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY H-1B Visa Sponsorship & Salary Data

Yes, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY sponsors H-1B visas. In FY 2026, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY filed 225 H-1B labor condition applications (183 certified) with a median salary of $71,365. Across FY 2020–2026, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY has filed 1,756 total H-1B applications with 1,473 certified and a lifetime median salary of $68,000, which is 43% lower than the national H-1B median of $120,000.

Post-$100K-fee sponsorship status

FY 2026 Q1: 39 certified LCAs

Certifications dated Oct 1 – Dec 31, 2025 — the first full quarter after the $100K H-1B fee took effect on September 21, 2025.

Still actively sponsoring
31
31
34
31
45
49
39
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
FY 2024
FY 2025
FY 2026

FY 2020–2025 Q1 range 6-year Q1 average

Certified H-1B LCAs in Q1 (Oct–Dec) of each fiscal year for NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY: FY 2020: 31; FY 2021: 31; FY 2022: 34; FY 2023: 31; FY 2024: 45; FY 2025: 49; FY 2026: 39;

Did pay change after the fee?

The median salary on NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY's certified LCAs was $71,656 in FY 2026 Q1, versus $68,964 in FY 2025 Q1 (up 4%).

FY 2025 Q1
49 filings
FY 2026 Q1
39 filings

Shape = all certified filings that quarter; box = middle 50%; dark tick = median. A shift right can mean higher pay or a shift toward senior roles.

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY certified 39 H-1B LCAs in FY 2026 Q1 — the first quarter after the $100K H-1B fee took effect on September 21, 2025. The 6-year Q1 baseline (FY 2020–2025) averages 37 certified filings per Q1, so this quarter came in 5% above the historical norm.

Compared to FY 2025 Q1 specifically (49 certified), FY 2026 Q1 is down 20%. The 6-year Q1 range runs from 31 (low) to 49 (peak in FY 2025).

These counts reflect DOL LCA certifications with decision_date in Oct–Dec — a proxy for post-fee sponsorship activity. LCAs do not distinguish cap-subject new hires (fee-exposed) from extensions, transfers, and change-of-status petitions (fee-exempt), so a drop does not cleanly translate to fewer H-1B workers at NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY.

1,473
Certified Filings
FY 2020-2026
$68,000
Median Salary
-43% vs national
0%
Denial Rate
0 denied of 1,756
7
Years of Data
FY 2020-2026

Salary Analysis

Salary Range

  • 10th percentile: $54,840
  • 25th percentile: $60,009
  • Median: $68,000
  • 75th percentile: $83,366
  • 90th percentile: $112,000

Wage Level Distribution

  • Level I (Entry): 1,087 (81%)
  • Level II (Qualified): 101 (8%)
  • Level III (Experienced): 131 (10%)
  • Level IV (Expert): 20 (1%)

Trend (2020-2026)

  • Starting median: $60,188
  • Current median: $71,365
  • Growth: +19%

Salary & Hiring Visualizations

Salary Distribution

Distribution of H-1B salaries at NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY's H-1B salaries range from $54,840 to $112,000 (10th-90th percentile), with a median of $68,000. This is comparable to the national H-1B median.

Wage Level Distribution

DOL wage levels affect H-1B lottery priority

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY files 19% of H-1B positions at Level II or higher. A higher proportion of Level I (entry) positions may face more lottery competition.

Median Salary Trend

Year-over-year salary changes

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY's median H-1B salary increased by +19% from FY 2020 ($60,188) to FY 2026 ($71,365).

H-1B Filings by Year

Annual hiring activity through H-1B program

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY's H-1B filings grew by +9% from FY 2020 to FY 2026.

Salary by Job Title

Top roles by filing volume: shape of all filings, middle 50% box, median tick

Research Associate
531 · $64K
Data Analyst
24 · $73K
Assistant Professor
344 · $91K

The highest-volume H-1B role at NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY is Research Associate with 531 filings at $64,356 median salary.

Salary by Location

Salary distribution across office locations (sorted by median)

Chicago, IL
786 · $67K
Evanston, IL
666 · $70K

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY's largest H-1B hub is Chicago, IL with 786 filings. The highest-paying location is Schaumburg, IL at $115,357 median.

Highest Paying H-1B Roles at NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

Ranked by median salary — Unlike "Salary by Job Title" above which shows the most common roles by filing volume, this section ranks all H-1B positions by their median compensation to highlight the best-paying opportunities.

These are the 6 highest-paying of NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY's most common H-1B job titles, ranked by median salary. The highest-paying role is Assistant Professor at $90,645 median, which is 33% above the company's overall H-1B median of $68,000.

High-paying H-1B roles typically require advanced technical expertise, specialized domain knowledge, or significant leadership responsibility. Factors influencing top-tier compensation include years of experience, educational credentials (PhD, Master's degrees), rare skill combinations, and market demand for specific technologies. The chart under each role shows how pay is spread across its filings—a wide box means pay varies a lot for that title, while a narrow box suggests standardized pay bands. Senior and principal-level positions consistently command premium salaries due to their strategic impact and scarcity of qualified candidates.

Middle 50% of salaries Middle 80% Median Shape of all filings (wider = more common salary) Sample of filings Company median

1

Assistant Professor

344 H-1B filings at NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

$90,645
+33% vs company median
2

Data Analyst

24 H-1B filings at NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

$72,889
+7% vs company median
3

Clinical Research Associate

40 H-1B filings at NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

$68,182
+0% vs company median
4

Research Associate

531 H-1B filings at NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

$64,356
-5% vs company median
5

Principal Research Associate

213 H-1B filings at NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

$57,456
-16% vs company median
6

Research Technologist 2

23 H-1B filings at NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

$45,163
-34% vs company median

Salary data based on 1,473 certified H-1B labor condition applications at NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, specific role requirements, and location within the company.

Highest Individual H-1B Salaries at NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

Actual filed salaries — These are the 10 highest individual H-1B salary filings at NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY, representing specific positions (not aggregated medians). These may include executive, highly specialized, or senior leadership roles.

The highest H-1B salary filed at NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY was $827,568 for a Research Associate position in Chicago, IL (FY2025). This is 1117% higher than the company's median H-1B salary.

Top H-1B salaries often cluster in high cost-of-living metros like San Francisco, New York, and Seattle where prevailing wages are higher. However, executive and specialized roles can command premium compensation regardless of location. These filings represent the upper bound of H-1B compensation at NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY—actual total compensation may be significantly higher when including stock grants, bonuses, and benefits. Geographic patterns in top salaries often reflect where companies locate their most senior technical talent and leadership positions.

Where are the highest-paid H-1B positions located?

Marker size indicates salary level. Click markers for details.

Rank Job Title Location Salary Level Year
1 Research Associate Chicago, IL $827,568 I FY 2025
2 Research Associate Chicago, IL $683,400 I FY 2025
3 Professor Evanston, IL $405,000 I FY 2021
4 Professor Evanston, IL $360,000 I FY 2025
5 Assistant Professor Evanston, IL $331,500 I FY 2023
6 Assistant Professor Evanston, IL $279,364 I FY 2026
7 Assistant Professor Evanston, IL $277,121 I FY 2025
8 Assistant Professor Chicago, IL $270,000 I FY 2022
9 Assistant Professor Evanston, IL $266,500 I FY 2023
10 Assistant Professor Evanston, IL $266,438 I FY 2025

These represent the highest individual salary amounts filed in H-1B labor condition applications. Note: H-1B salary data reflects base compensation only and does not include stock options, RSUs, bonuses, or other benefits which can significantly increase total compensation at tech companies.

Detailed Breakdown

H-1B Job Titles at NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

Job Title Filings Median Salary
Research Associate 531 $64,356
Assistant Professor 344 $90,645
Principal Research Associate 213 $57,456
Clinical Research Associate 40 $68,182
Data Analyst 24 $72,889
Research Technologist 2 23 $45,163

H-1B Locations for NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

Location Filings Median Salary
Chicago, IL 786 $66,576
Evanston, IL 666 $70,000
Eavnston, IL 4 $87,000
Miami, FL 2 $73,500
Schaumburg, IL 2 $115,357
Atlanta, GA 2 $60,000
Chiacgo, IL 1 $54,248
Evanstson, IL 1 $65,000
Tallahassee, FL 1 $63,627
Quincy, MA 1 $91,481

Recent H-1B Filings at NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

Sample of 20 recent certified H-1B labor condition applications. This represents a small fraction of NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY's 1,473 total certified filings.

Job Title Location Salary Level Year
Research Associate Evanston, IL $61,428 I FY 2026
Research Associate Chicago, IL $73,678 III FY 2026
Assistant Professor Chicago, IL $150,689 II FY 2026
Developer Evanston, IL $93,204 I FY 2026
Research Associate Chicago, IL $71,532 I FY 2026
Research Associate Chicago, IL $72,761 III FY 2026
Research Associate Evanston, IL $61,008 I FY 2026
Research Associate Evanston, IL $83,366 III FY 2026
Research Associate Evanston, IL $67,933 I FY 2026
Research Associate Evanston, IL $61,008 I FY 2026
Research Associate Evanston, IL $61,008 I FY 2026
Research Associate Evanston, IL $65,520 I FY 2026
Research Associate Evanston, IL $83,366 III FY 2026
Assistant Professor Chicago, IL $75,000 III FY 2026
Associate Data Analyst Chicago, IL $64,890 I FY 2026
Clinical Research Associate Chicago, IL $63,960 I FY 2026
Assistant Professor Evanston, IL $95,000 I FY 2026
Research Associate Evanston, IL $61,008 I FY 2026
Data Analyst Chicago, IL $87,522 I FY 2026
Associate Director Evanston, IL $90,000 II FY 2026

Data source: U.S. Department of Labor LCA Disclosure Files. Showing most recent certified filings.

Frequently Asked Questions about NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY H-1B Visas

What is the average H-1B salary at NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY?

The median H-1B salary at NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY is $68,000, based on 1,473 certified filings from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 43% lower than the national H-1B median salary of $120,000. Compensation at NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY reflects their market positioning, with entry-level roles starting around $60,009 and senior positions reaching $112,000 or higher. These figures represent base salaries in LCA filings and may not include bonuses, equity grants, or other compensation common at large employers.

10th %ile Median 90th %ile
$54,840 $68,000 $112,000

Salaries at NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY range from $54,840 at the 10th percentile to $112,000 at the 90th percentile, showing a $57,160 spread across experience levels and roles. The 25th percentile is $60,009 and the 75th percentile is $83,366.

Does NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY sponsor H-1B visas in 2026?

Yes, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY actively sponsors H-1B visas in FY 2026. In the most recent fiscal year (FY 2026), NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY filed 225 H-1B labor condition applications with 183 certified and 0 denied, at a median salary of $71,365. Across FY 2020–2026, they have filed 1,756 total H-1B applications with 1,473 certified and a 0% lifetime denial rate, demonstrating ongoing commitment to hiring international talent. NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY sponsors positions across multiple job categories and locations, making them a viable option for professionals seeking H-1B visa sponsorship.

H-1B Filing History
20
21
22
23
24
25
26

In the most recent fiscal year (FY 2026), NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY filed 225 H-1B applications, with 183 certified and 0 denied. Over 7 years of data, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY has consistently demonstrated commitment to H-1B sponsorship.

Note: These are Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the Department of Labor, which is a prerequisite for H-1B petitions. The actual number of H-1B petitions filed with USCIS may differ.

What is NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY's H-1B approval rate?

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY's LCA (Labor Condition Application) denial rate is 0%, with 0 out of 1,756 applications denied across all years. This translates to a 100.0% certification rate, which indicates how successfully the company prepares and files H-1B applications. A lower denial rate suggests better compliance with Department of Labor requirements, proper wage documentation, and accurate job classification. Prospective H-1B applicants should consider this approval rate alongside other factors like salary, job role, and location when evaluating NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY as a potential H-1B sponsor.

Approval vs Denial Rate
100.0% Certified
1,473 certified 0 denied

This is an excellent approval rate, indicating NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY has strong H-1B sponsorship practices and typically meets DOL requirements. Applicants can feel confident in the company's H-1B track record.

What jobs does NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY sponsor for H-1B?

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY sponsors H-1B visas for various specialty occupation positions requiring at least a bachelor's degree. Based on 1,473 certified filings, the most commonly sponsored job titles reflect the company's primary business functions and talent needs. These positions typically require specialized knowledge in fields like technology, engineering, finance, or scientific research. Understanding which roles NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY most frequently sponsors can help job seekers target their applications effectively.

Most common H-1B job titles at NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY:

The most frequently sponsored role is Research Associate with 531 filings at a median salary of $64,356. This is followed by Assistant Professor (344 filings) and Principal Research Associate.

Where are NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY's H-1B jobs located?

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY's H-1B positions are distributed across multiple U.S. locations, with concentration in major metropolitan areas and tech hubs. Geographic distribution often reflects company office locations, client sites, and regional market demands. Location significantly impacts H-1B salary due to varying cost of living and local wage requirements. Understanding where NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY sponsors H-1B workers can help candidates target specific offices and negotiate appropriate compensation for each market.

Top NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY H-1B locations:

Circle size indicates relative H-1B filing volume

The largest H-1B hub for NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY is Chicago, IL with 786 filings at a median salary of $66,576. The highest-paying location is Schaumburg, IL at $115,357 median. Salaries range from $54,248 to $115,357 across office locations.

How have NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY's H-1B salaries changed over time?

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY's median H-1B salary has increased by +19% from FY 2020 ($60,188) to FY 2026 ($71,365). Tracking salary trends over time reveals how NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY adjusts compensation to remain competitive in the H-1B labor market. Salary growth typically reflects inflation adjustments, increased demand for specialized skills, and evolving prevailing wage requirements. These historical trends can help applicants understand future salary expectations and negotiate appropriately when considering H-1B opportunities at NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY.

Median Salary Trend
20
21
22
23
24
25
26

Year-by-year breakdown:

  • FY 2022: $66,539 (244 certified)
  • FY 2023: $65,557 (212 certified)
  • FY 2024: $70,000 (245 certified)
  • FY 2025: $72,760 (234 certified)
  • FY 2026: $71,365 (183 certified)

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY has maintained steady salary growth for H-1B positions over this period.

What wage level does NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY use for H-1B?

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY primarily files H-1B applications at Wage Level I, accounting for 81% of their filings. DOL wage levels range from Level I (entry-level, 17th percentile of local wages) to Level IV (expert, 67th percentile). Wage level determines both salary requirements and, under recent H-1B rules, lottery selection priority. Higher wage levels receive preference in the H-1B lottery, making NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY's wage level distribution an important factor for prospective applicants assessing their chances of H-1B selection.

Wage Level Distribution
I
I: 81% II: 8% III: 10% IV: 1%

A significant portion of NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY's H-1B filings are at entry-level (Level I) wages. These positions may face more competition in the H-1B lottery.

How does NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY's H-1B salary compare to other employers?

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY's median H-1B salary of $68,000 is 43% lower than the national H-1B median of $120,000 across all employers and industries. This comparison provides context for evaluating NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY's competitiveness in attracting H-1B talent. Keep in mind that industry, location, and job function significantly impact salary levels. Tech companies and financial institutions typically offer higher H-1B salaries than other sectors, while salaries in major metros like San Francisco and New York exceed those in smaller markets. Compare NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY's offerings with similar companies in your field for a more accurate assessment.

vs National H-1B Median
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
$68,000
National
$120,000
-43% below national median

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY's H-1B salaries are below the national median, though this may vary significantly by role, experience level, and location. Consider researching specific positions for more accurate compensation expectations.

How do new H-1B fees and rules affect NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY's sponsorship?
Estimated H-1B Sponsorship Costs (FY 2025)
I-129 Base Filing Fee $1,655
ACWIA Fee (25+ employees) $1,500
Fraud Prevention Fee $500
Asylum Program Fee $600
H-1B Registration Fee $215
Premium Processing (optional) $2,805
Estimated Total per H-1B $4,470 - $7,275+

Recent H-1B rule changes have increased filing fees and introduced wage-level prioritization in the lottery. NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY files 81% of positions at Level I, which may face more lottery competition under wage-level prioritization rules.

With 1,473 certified filings, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY invests significantly in H-1B sponsorship. The company's 0% denial rate suggests strong compliance with H-1B requirements and documentation standards.

Note: H-1B regulations are subject to change. Fees shown are estimates based on 2024 USCIS fee schedules. Actual costs may vary based on company size, premium processing, and future rule changes.

Companies Similar to NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

Employers with similar H-1B salary ranges and filing volumes.

Loading similar companies...