Civil Engineer H-1B Salary in Chicago, IL
Employers have filed 54 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Civil Engineer positions in Chicago, IL, with a median salary of $83,200. That's 13% higher than the national Civil Engineer H-1B median of $73,840 across all U.S. locations, and 19% lower than the Chicago, IL all-roles H-1B median of $102,690. Civil Engineer ranks #127 among H-1B job titles filed from Chicago, IL.
Headline numbers for Civil Engineer H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #6,518 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Civil Engineer hiring.
Civil Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Chicago, IL
The pay distribution for this role spans $37,669 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $68,931 and $92,435, the interquartile range where most experienced Civil Engineers land. The median of $83,200 sits 13% higher than the national Civil Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $65,000
- 25th percentile
- $68,931
- Median
- $83,200
- 75th percentile
- $92,435
- 90th percentile
- $102,669
Top Employers Hiring Civil Engineers in Chicago, IL
QUIGG ENGINEERING is the largest H-1B sponsor for Civil Engineer in Chicago, IL, with 6 certified filings (11% of local Civil Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $88,670. Among the top sponsors, T.Y. LIN INTERNATIONAL pays the highest median at $102,669. The pay spread across top employers is 55%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 55% ($66,414 at H.W. LOCHNER to $102,669 at T.Y. LIN INTERNATIONAL)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| QUIGG ENGINEERING | 6 | $88,670 |
| T.Y. LIN INTERNATIONAL | 4 | $102,669 |
| LAKESHORE ENGINEERING | 4 | $85,696 |
| HANNA ARCHITECTS | 3 | $66,685 |
| H.W. LOCHNER | 3 | $66,414 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Civil Engineer 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 Civil Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Civil Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Civil Engineer is an active H-1B role. Tamuning, GU has the most filings (495) outside Chicago, IL. The highest median among these is San Francisco, CA at $110,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Tamuning, GU | 495 | $58,000 |
| New York, NY | 246 | $86,986 |
| Harmon, GU | 132 | $50,045 |
| Houston, TX | 100 | $81,037 |
| Barrigada, GU | 85 | $50,045 |
| Dededo, GU | 74 | $58,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 61 | $110,000 |
| Tumon, GU | 53 | $50,045 |
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-Civil Engineer role here (2,925 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Manager at a median of $139,901.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | 2,925 | $97,800 |
| Software Engineer | 2,762 | $108,000 |
| Consultant | 1,693 | $92,810 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,422 | $125,000 |
| Architect | 1,328 | $90,397 |
| Manager | 1,110 | $139,901 |
| Accountant | 1,039 | $93,030 |
| Senior Consultant | 958 | $114,067 |
| Assistant Professor | 907 | $94,034 |
| Systems Analyst | 786 | $93,600 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Civil Engineer in Chicago, IL is $83,200, based on 54 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 13% higher than the national Civil Engineer H-1B median of $73,840 across all U.S. locations. It is also 19% lower than the overall H-1B median of $102,690 in Chicago, IL across all job titles.
Salaries span a $37,669 range from the 10th percentile ($65,000) to the 90th percentile ($102,669). The middle 50% of workers earn between $68,931 and $92,435, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
QUIGG ENGINEERING is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Chicago, IL, with 6 certified filings at a median salary of $88,670. Among the top employers, T.Y. LIN INTERNATIONAL pays the highest median at $102,669. The pay spread across top employers is 55%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Civil Engineer H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, answered directly from 54 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 Civil Engineer salary in Chicago, IL?
The median H-1B salary for Civil Engineer positions in Chicago, IL is $83,200, based on 54 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $65,000
- 25th percentile
- $68,931
- Median
- $83,200
- 75th percentile
- $92,435
- 90th percentile
- $102,669
The salary distribution for Civil Engineer roles in Chicago, IL shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $65,000, while the 90th percentile earns $102,669. This $37,669 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Civil Engineer salaries in Chicago, IL are 36% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Civil Engineers in Chicago, IL?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Civil Engineer positions in Chicago, IL are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Civil Engineer roles specifically in Chicago, IL. QUIGG ENGINEERING leads with 6 filings at a median salary of $88,670. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $66,414 to $102,669.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Civil Engineer in Chicago, IL?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Civil Engineer in Chicago, IL, you'll need a sponsoring employer. The process involves several steps:
- Secure a job offer from a U.S. employer willing to sponsor your H-1B visa
- The employer files a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor
- Once the LCA is certified, the employer files an H-1B petition with USCIS
- If selected in the H-1B lottery (if applicable) and approved, you can begin work
Based on our data, 54 H-1B positions for Civil Engineers 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.