Designer H-1B Salary in Chicago, IL
Employers have filed 84 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Designer positions in Chicago, IL, with a median salary of $73,200. That's 3% lower than the national Designer H-1B median of $75,670 across all U.S. locations, and 29% lower than the Chicago, IL all-roles H-1B median of $102,690. Designer ranks #87 among H-1B job titles filed from Chicago, IL.
Headline numbers for Designer H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #4,077 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Designer hiring.
Designer H-1B Salary Range in Chicago, IL
The pay distribution for this role spans $36,462 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $60,008 and $75,982, the interquartile range where most experienced Designers land. The median of $73,200 sits 3% lower than the national Designer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $50,544
- 25th percentile
- $60,008
- Median
- $73,200
- 75th percentile
- $75,982
- 90th percentile
- $87,006
Top Employers Hiring Designers in Chicago, IL
TATA is the largest H-1B sponsor for Designer in Chicago, IL, with 28 certified filings (33% of local Designer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $75,982. Among the top sponsors, SKIDMORE, OWINGS & MERRILL LLP pays the highest median at $76,000. The pay spread across top employers is 52%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 52% ($50,000 at MOLLY MEYER to $76,000 at SKIDMORE, OWINGS & MERRILL LLP)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| TATA | 28 | $75,982 |
| ADRIAN SMITH & GORDON GILL ARCHITECTURE LLP | 10 | $65,000 |
| MOLLY MEYER | 7 | $50,000 |
| SKIDMORE, OWINGS & MERRILL LLP | 5 | $76,000 |
| DXU | 4 | $62,000 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Designer 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 Designer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Designer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Designer is an active H-1B role. New York, NY has the most filings (511) outside Chicago, IL. The highest median among these is Redmond, WA at $129,255. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 511 | $71,197 |
| San Francisco, CA | 202 | $77,979 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 201 | $68,016 |
| Redmond, WA | 105 | $129,255 |
| Boston, MA | 86 | $70,013 |
| Irving, TX | 77 | $91,562 |
| Atlanta, GA | 73 | $80,267 |
| Seattle, WA | 72 | $71,365 |
| Dallas, TX | 68 | $66,630 |
| San Jose, CA | 59 | $92,955 |
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-Designer 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 Designer in Chicago, IL is $73,200, based on 84 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 3% lower than the national Designer H-1B median of $75,670 across all U.S. locations. It is also 29% lower than the overall H-1B median of $102,690 in Chicago, IL across all job titles.
Salaries span a $36,462 range from the 10th percentile ($50,544) to the 90th percentile ($87,006). The middle 50% of workers earn between $60,008 and $75,982, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
TATA is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Chicago, IL, with 28 certified filings at a median salary of $75,982. Among the top employers, SKIDMORE, OWINGS & MERRILL LLP pays the highest median at $76,000. The pay spread across top employers is 52%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Designer H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, answered directly from 84 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 Designer salary in Chicago, IL?
The median H-1B salary for Designer positions in Chicago, IL is $73,200, based on 84 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $50,544
- 25th percentile
- $60,008
- Median
- $73,200
- 75th percentile
- $75,982
- 90th percentile
- $87,006
The salary distribution for Designer roles in Chicago, IL shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $50,544, while the 90th percentile earns $87,006. This $36,462 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Designer salaries in Chicago, IL are 44% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Designers in Chicago, IL?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Designer positions in Chicago, IL are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Designer roles specifically in Chicago, IL. TATA leads with 28 filings at a median salary of $75,982. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $50,000 to $76,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Designer in Chicago, IL?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Designer 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, 84 H-1B positions for Designers 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.