Lead Data Scientist H-1B Salary in Chicago, IL
Employers have filed 86 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Lead Data Scientist positions in Chicago, IL, with a median salary of $130,000. That's 4% lower than the national Lead Data Scientist H-1B median of $135,000 across all U.S. locations, and 27% higher than the Chicago, IL all-roles H-1B median of $102,294. Lead Data Scientist ranks #84 among H-1B job titles filed from Chicago, IL.
Headline numbers for Lead Data Scientist H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #3,832 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Lead Data Scientist hiring.
Lead Data Scientist H-1B Salary Range in Chicago, IL
The pay distribution for this role spans $94,000 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $110,000 and $150,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Lead Data Scientists land. The median of $130,000 sits 4% lower than the national Lead Data Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $96,000
- 25th percentile
- $110,000
- Median
- $130,000
- 75th percentile
- $150,000
- 90th percentile
- $190,000
Top Employers Hiring Lead Data Scientists in Chicago, IL
ELEVANCE HEALTH is the largest H-1B sponsor for Lead Data Scientist in Chicago, IL, with 8 certified filings (9% of local Lead Data Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $134,722. Among the top sponsors, 84.51 pays the highest median at $150,000. The pay spread across top employers is 56%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 56% ($96,000 at DISCOVER PRODUCTS to $150,000 at 84.51)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| ELEVANCE HEALTH | 8 | $134,722 |
| HEALTH CARE SERVICE | 7 | $115,710 |
| 84.51 | 6 | $150,000 |
| DISCOVER PRODUCTS | 6 | $96,000 |
| INFOSYS | 5 | $96,533 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Lead Data Scientist 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 Lead Data Scientist pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Lead Data Scientist H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Lead Data Scientist is an active H-1B role. Riverwoods, IL has the most filings (278) outside Chicago, IL. The highest median among these is San Francisco, CA at $191,253. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Riverwoods, IL | 278 | $103,584 |
| New York, NY | 161 | $175,000 |
| Boston, MA | 67 | $162,740 |
| San Francisco, CA | 65 | $191,253 |
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-Lead Data Scientist 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 Lead Data Scientist in Chicago, IL is $130,000, based on 86 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 4% lower than the national Lead Data Scientist H-1B median of $135,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 27% higher than the overall H-1B median of $102,294 in Chicago, IL across all job titles.
Salaries span a $94,000 range from the 10th percentile ($96,000) to the 90th percentile ($190,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $110,000 and $150,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
ELEVANCE HEALTH is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Chicago, IL, with 8 certified filings at a median salary of $134,722. Among the top employers, 84.51 pays the highest median at $150,000. The pay spread across top employers is 56%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Lead Data Scientist H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, answered directly from 86 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 Lead Data Scientist salary in Chicago, IL?
The median H-1B salary for Lead Data Scientist positions in Chicago, IL is $130,000, based on 86 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $96,000
- 25th percentile
- $110,000
- Median
- $130,000
- 75th percentile
- $150,000
- 90th percentile
- $190,000
The salary distribution for Lead Data Scientist roles in Chicago, IL shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $96,000, while the 90th percentile earns $190,000. This $94,000 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Lead Data Scientist salaries in Chicago, IL are about the same, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Lead Data Scientists in Chicago, IL?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Lead Data Scientist positions in Chicago, IL are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Lead Data Scientist roles specifically in Chicago, IL. ELEVANCE HEALTH leads with 8 filings at a median salary of $134,722. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $96,000 to $150,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Lead Data Scientist in Chicago, IL?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Lead Data Scientist 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, 86 H-1B positions for Lead Data Scientists 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.