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H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q3

Associate Attorney H-1B Salary in Chicago, IL

Employers have filed 81 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Associate Attorney positions in Chicago, IL, with a median salary of $160,000. That's 6% lower than the national Associate Attorney H-1B median of $170,000 across all U.S. locations, and 55% higher than the Chicago, IL all-roles H-1B median of $103,333. Associate Attorney ranks #98 among H-1B job titles filed from Chicago, IL.

Headline numbers for Associate Attorney H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #4,517 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Associate Attorney hiring.

$160,000
Median Salary
81
Certified Filings
$79,269
10th Percentile
$235,000
90th Percentile

Associate Attorney H-1B Salary Range in Chicago, IL

The pay distribution for this role spans $155,731 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $89,440 and $225,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Associate Attorneys land. The median of $160,000 sits 6% lower than the national Associate Attorney H-1B median.

10th percentile
$79,269
25th percentile
$89,440
Median
$160,000
75th percentile
$225,000
90th percentile
$235,000
Middle 50% of Associate Attorney H-1B salaries in Chicago, IL: $89,440 to $225,000

Top Employers Hiring Associate Attorneys in Chicago, IL

MAYER BROWN LLP is the largest H-1B sponsor for Associate Attorney in Chicago, IL, with 14 certified filings (17% of local Associate Attorney H-1B filings) at a median salary of $225,000. Among the top sponsors, ARCH & LAKE LLP pays the highest median at $230,000. The pay spread across top employers is 190%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.

Median Salary Comparison

Pay spread among top employers: 190% ($79,269 at GERALD CIPOLLA & ASSOCIATES to $230,000 at ARCH & LAKE LLP)

Employer Filings Median Salary
MAYER BROWN LLP 14 $225,000
SIDLEY AUSTIN (US) LLP 13 $225,000
GERALD CIPOLLA & ASSOCIATES 5 $79,269
BAKER & MCKENZIE LLP 3 $161,500
ARCH & LAKE LLP 3 $230,000

How This Salary Compares

Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Associate Attorney H-1B median across every U.S. location — a measure of how local cost-of-living and market demand shift pay up or down. The second is the all-roles H-1B median in Chicago, IL, which tells you whether Associate Attorney pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.

vs. National Associate Attorney
-6%
6% lower than the national Associate Attorney H-1B median of $170,000.
vs. Chicago, IL Average
+55%
55% higher than the overall H-1B median in Chicago, IL ($103,333).

Associate Attorney H-1B Salaries in Other Cities

The other top metros where Associate Attorney is an active H-1B role. New York, NY has the most filings (981) outside Chicago, IL. The highest median among these is Palo Alto, CA at $225,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.

City Filings Median Salary
New York, NY 981 $215,000
Los Angeles, CA 113 $190,000
Washington, DC 92 $205,000
San Francisco, CA 60 $215,000
Palo Alto, CA 52 $225,000

Other H-1B Jobs in Chicago, IL

The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Chicago, IL, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Developer is the busiest non-Associate Attorney role here (3,030 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Manager at a median of $142,500.

Job Title Filings Median Salary
Software Developer 3,030 $98,000
Software Engineer 2,953 $108,160
Consultant 1,786 $93,954
Senior Software Engineer 1,501 $125,450
Architect 1,375 $90,500
Manager 1,141 $142,500
Accountant 1,068 $93,064
Senior Consultant 1,010 $114,500
Assistant Professor 947 $95,000
Systems Analyst 797 $93,600

Key Insights

The median H-1B salary for Associate Attorney in Chicago, IL is $160,000, based on 81 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 6% lower than the national Associate Attorney H-1B median of $170,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 55% higher than the overall H-1B median of $103,333 in Chicago, IL across all job titles.

Salaries span a $155,731 range from the 10th percentile ($79,269) to the 90th percentile ($235,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $89,440 and $225,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.

MAYER BROWN LLP is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Chicago, IL, with 14 certified filings at a median salary of $225,000. Among the top employers, ARCH & LAKE LLP pays the highest median at $230,000. The pay spread across top employers is 190%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common questions people ask about Associate Attorney H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, answered directly from 81 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Every answer below cites the specific data point it's based on.

What is the average Associate Attorney salary in Chicago, IL?

The median H-1B salary for Associate Attorney positions in Chicago, IL is $160,000, based on 81 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.

10th percentile
$79,269
25th percentile
$89,440
Median
$160,000
75th percentile
$225,000
90th percentile
$235,000

The salary distribution for Associate Attorney roles in Chicago, IL shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $79,269, while the 90th percentile earns $235,000. This $155,731 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.

Compared to the national H-1B median of $126,302, Associate Attorney salaries in Chicago, IL are 27% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.

Which companies hire Associate Attorneys in Chicago, IL?

The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Associate Attorney positions in Chicago, IL are:

These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Associate Attorney roles specifically in Chicago, IL. MAYER BROWN LLP leads with 14 filings at a median salary of $225,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $79,269 to $230,000.

How do I get an H-1B visa as a Associate Attorney in Chicago, IL?

To obtain an H-1B visa as a Associate Attorney in Chicago, IL, you'll need a sponsoring employer. The process involves several steps:

1
Job Offer
2
LCA Filed
3
H-1B Petition
4
Approved
  1. Secure a job offer from a U.S. employer willing to sponsor your H-1B visa
  2. The employer files a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor
  3. Once the LCA is certified, the employer files an H-1B petition with USCIS
  4. If selected in the H-1B lottery (if applicable) and approved, you can begin work

Based on our data, 81 H-1B positions for Associate Attorneys in Chicago, IL have been certified, indicating strong demand for this role. The top sponsors listed above have a track record of successful H-1B sponsorship for this position.