Engineer H-1B Salary in Chicago, IL
Employers have filed 60 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Engineer positions in Chicago, IL, with a median salary of $82,368. That's 18% lower than the national Engineer H-1B median of $100,000 across all U.S. locations, and 19% lower than the Chicago, IL all-roles H-1B median of $102,294. Engineer ranks #115 among H-1B job titles filed from Chicago, IL.
Headline numbers for Engineer H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #5,625 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Engineer hiring.
Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Chicago, IL
The pay distribution for this role spans $112,000 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $65,520 and $135,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Engineers land. The median of $82,368 sits 18% lower than the national Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $63,000
- 25th percentile
- $65,520
- Median
- $82,368
- 75th percentile
- $135,000
- 90th percentile
- $175,000
Top Employers Hiring Engineers in Chicago, IL
CTC TRADING GROUP is the largest H-1B sponsor for Engineer in Chicago, IL, with 16 certified filings (27% of local Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $175,000. The pay spread across top employers is 199%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 199% ($58,500 at KDM ENGINEERING to $175,000 at CTC TRADING GROUP)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| CTC TRADING GROUP | 16 | $175,000 |
| TRANSUNION | 9 | $82,368 |
| IBASE CONSULTING OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY | 6 | $64,000 |
| ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS DESIGN | 5 | $64,168 |
| KDM ENGINEERING | 3 | $58,500 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national 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 Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Engineer is an active H-1B role. Phoenix, AZ has the most filings (427) outside Chicago, IL. The highest median among these is San Francisco, CA at $133,900. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, AZ | 427 | $120,000 |
| San Jose, CA | 191 | $125,424 |
| New York, NY | 174 | $120,000 |
| Austin, TX | 159 | $102,516 |
| San Diego, CA | 66 | $102,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 63 | $133,900 |
| Sunrise, FL | 58 | $112,900 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 55 | $119,352 |
| Omaha, NE | 52 | $114,621 |
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-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 Engineer in Chicago, IL is $82,368, based on 60 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 18% lower than the national Engineer H-1B median of $100,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 19% lower than the overall H-1B median of $102,294 in Chicago, IL across all job titles.
Salaries span a $112,000 range from the 10th percentile ($63,000) to the 90th percentile ($175,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $65,520 and $135,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
CTC TRADING GROUP is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Chicago, IL, with 16 certified filings at a median salary of $175,000. The pay spread across top employers is 199%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Engineer H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, answered directly from 60 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 Engineer salary in Chicago, IL?
The median H-1B salary for Engineer positions in Chicago, IL is $82,368, based on 60 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $63,000
- 25th percentile
- $65,520
- Median
- $82,368
- 75th percentile
- $135,000
- 90th percentile
- $175,000
The salary distribution for Engineer roles in Chicago, IL shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $63,000, while the 90th percentile earns $175,000. This $112,000 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Engineer salaries in Chicago, IL are 37% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Engineers in Chicago, IL?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Engineer positions in Chicago, IL are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Engineer roles specifically in Chicago, IL. CTC TRADING GROUP leads with 16 filings at a median salary of $175,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $58,500 to $175,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Engineer in Chicago, IL?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a 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, 60 H-1B positions for 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.