Data Engineer H-1B Salary in Chicago, IL
Employers have filed 559 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Data Engineer positions in Chicago, IL, with a median salary of $100,400. That's 4% lower than the national Data Engineer H-1B median of $104,247 across all U.S. locations, and 2% lower than the Chicago, IL all-roles H-1B median of $102,294. Data Engineer ranks #15 among H-1B job titles filed from Chicago, IL.
Headline numbers for Data Engineer H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #408 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Data Engineer hiring.
Data Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Chicago, IL
The pay distribution for this role spans $78,562 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $88,858 and $127,754, the interquartile range where most experienced Data Engineers land. The median of $100,400 sits 4% lower than the national Data Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $77,438
- 25th percentile
- $88,858
- Median
- $100,400
- 75th percentile
- $127,754
- 90th percentile
- $156,000
Top Employers Hiring Data Engineers in Chicago, IL
BLACKBUCK INSIGHTS is the largest H-1B sponsor for Data Engineer in Chicago, IL, with 26 certified filings (5% of local Data Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $90,000. Among the top sponsors, ACCENTURE pays the highest median at $121,650. The pay spread across top employers is 36%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 36% ($89,690 at CCC INTELLIGENT SOLUTIONS to $121,650 at ACCENTURE)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| BLACKBUCK INSIGHTS | 26 | $90,000 |
| EXPEDIA | 21 | $107,931 |
| NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE | 14 | $114,421 |
| ACCENTURE | 13 | $121,650 |
| CCC INTELLIGENT SOLUTIONS | 12 | $89,690 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Data 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 Data Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Data Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Data Engineer is an active H-1B role. Irving, TX has the most filings (1,090) outside Chicago, IL. The highest median among these is Menlo Park, CA at $181,300. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Irving, TX | 1,090 | $98,904 |
| New York, NY | 1,064 | $126,360 |
| Plano, TX | 1,004 | $98,000 |
| Menlo Park, CA | 920 | $181,300 |
| Austin, TX | 681 | $114,400 |
| Charlotte, NC | 611 | $106,974 |
| San Francisco, CA | 516 | $147,368 |
| Seattle, WA | 515 | $150,000 |
| Houston, TX | 475 | $93,000 |
| Dallas, TX | 446 | $98,904 |
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-Data Engineer role here (2,866 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Manager at a median of $139,776.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | 2,866 | $97,781 |
| Software Engineer | 2,677 | $107,500 |
| Consultant | 1,662 | $92,061 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,373 | $125,000 |
| Architect | 1,306 | $90,397 |
| Manager | 1,082 | $139,776 |
| Accountant | 998 | $93,000 |
| Senior Consultant | 937 | $114,067 |
| Assistant Professor | 866 | $94,000 |
| Systems Analyst | 780 | $93,600 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Data Engineer in Chicago, IL is $100,400, based on 559 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 4% lower than the national Data Engineer H-1B median of $104,247 across all U.S. locations. It is also 2% lower than the overall H-1B median of $102,294 in Chicago, IL across all job titles.
Salaries span a $78,562 range from the 10th percentile ($77,438) to the 90th percentile ($156,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $88,858 and $127,754, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
BLACKBUCK INSIGHTS is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Chicago, IL, with 26 certified filings at a median salary of $90,000. Among the top employers, ACCENTURE pays the highest median at $121,650. The pay spread across top employers is 36%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Data Engineer H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, answered directly from 559 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 Data Engineer salary in Chicago, IL?
The median H-1B salary for Data Engineer positions in Chicago, IL is $100,400, based on 559 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $77,438
- 25th percentile
- $88,858
- Median
- $100,400
- 75th percentile
- $127,754
- 90th percentile
- $156,000
The salary distribution for Data Engineer roles in Chicago, IL shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $77,438, while the 90th percentile earns $156,000. This $78,562 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Data Engineer salaries in Chicago, IL are 23% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Data Engineers in Chicago, IL?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Data Engineer positions in Chicago, IL are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Data Engineer roles specifically in Chicago, IL. BLACKBUCK INSIGHTS leads with 26 filings at a median salary of $90,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $89,690 to $121,650.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Data Engineer in Chicago, IL?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Data 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, 559 H-1B positions for Data 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.