Developer H-1B Salary in Chicago, IL
Employers have filed 361 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Developer positions in Chicago, IL, with a median salary of $74,360. That's 8% lower than the national Developer H-1B median of $80,662 across all U.S. locations, and 27% lower than the Chicago, IL all-roles H-1B median of $102,294. Developer ranks #24 among H-1B job titles filed from Chicago, IL.
Headline numbers for Developer H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #719 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Developer hiring.
Developer H-1B Salary Range in Chicago, IL
The pay distribution for this role spans $50,362 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $69,638 and $87,838, the interquartile range where most experienced Developers land. The median of $74,360 sits 8% lower than the national Developer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $69,638
- 25th percentile
- $69,638
- Median
- $74,360
- 75th percentile
- $87,838
- 90th percentile
- $120,000
Top Employers Hiring Developers in Chicago, IL
TATA is the largest H-1B sponsor for Developer in Chicago, IL, with 261 certified filings (72% of local Developer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $73,237. Among the top sponsors, AKUNA CAPITAL pays the highest median at $130,000. The pay spread across top employers is 78%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 78% ($73,237 at TATA to $130,000 at AKUNA CAPITAL)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| TATA | 261 | $73,237 |
| NAGARRO | 16 | $90,397 |
| AKUNA CAPITAL | 15 | $130,000 |
| TRANSUNION | 10 | $87,838 |
| HEALTH CARE SERVICE | 8 | $93,558 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Developer 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 Developer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Developer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Developer is an active H-1B role. Irving, TX has the most filings (922) outside Chicago, IL. The highest median among these is Palo Alto, CA at $127,092. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Irving, TX | 922 | $78,645 |
| Austin, TX | 366 | $83,866 |
| Plano, TX | 338 | $78,645 |
| Columbus, OH | 327 | $73,694 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 325 | $96,221 |
| New York, NY | 319 | $96,886 |
| Louisville, KY | 275 | $71,531 |
| Palo Alto, CA | 252 | $127,092 |
| Tampa, FL | 250 | $67,954 |
| Atlanta, GA | 200 | $86,362 |
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-Developer 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 Developer in Chicago, IL is $74,360, based on 361 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 8% lower than the national Developer H-1B median of $80,662 across all U.S. locations. It is also 27% lower than the overall H-1B median of $102,294 in Chicago, IL across all job titles.
Salaries span a $50,362 range from the 10th percentile ($69,638) to the 90th percentile ($120,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $69,638 and $87,838, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
TATA is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Chicago, IL, with 261 certified filings at a median salary of $73,237. Among the top employers, AKUNA CAPITAL pays the highest median at $130,000. The pay spread across top employers is 78%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Developer H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, answered directly from 361 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 Developer salary in Chicago, IL?
The median H-1B salary for Developer positions in Chicago, IL is $74,360, based on 361 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $69,638
- 25th percentile
- $69,638
- Median
- $74,360
- 75th percentile
- $87,838
- 90th percentile
- $120,000
The salary distribution for Developer roles in Chicago, IL shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $69,638, while the 90th percentile earns $120,000. This $50,362 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Developer salaries in Chicago, IL are 43% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Developers in Chicago, IL?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Developer positions in Chicago, IL are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Developer roles specifically in Chicago, IL. TATA leads with 261 filings at a median salary of $73,237. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $73,237 to $130,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Developer in Chicago, IL?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Developer 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, 361 H-1B positions for Developers 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.