Lead Engineer H-1B Salary in Chicago, IL
Employers have filed 53 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Lead Engineer positions in Chicago, IL, with a median salary of $102,690. That's 23% higher than the national Lead Engineer H-1B median of $83,283 across all U.S. locations, and 1% lower than the Chicago, IL all-roles H-1B median of $103,333. Lead Engineer ranks #136 among H-1B job titles filed from Chicago, IL.
Headline numbers for Lead Engineer H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #7,002 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Lead Engineer hiring.
Lead Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Chicago, IL
The pay distribution for this role spans $67,309 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $87,838 and $121,389, the interquartile range where most experienced Lead Engineers land. The median of $102,690 sits 23% higher than the national Lead Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $73,237
- 25th percentile
- $87,838
- Median
- $102,690
- 75th percentile
- $121,389
- 90th percentile
- $140,546
Top Employers Hiring Lead Engineers in Chicago, IL
TRANSUNION is the largest H-1B sponsor for Lead Engineer in Chicago, IL, with 19 certified filings (36% of local Lead Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $100,000. Among the top sponsors, FITCH RATINGS pays the highest median at $146,000. The pay spread across top employers is 99%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 99% ($73,237 at WIPRO to $146,000 at FITCH RATINGS)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| TRANSUNION | 19 | $100,000 |
| WIPRO | 11 | $73,237 |
| TRANSUNION INTERACTIVE, . A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF TRANSUNION | 3 | $125,445 |
| FITCH RATINGS | 3 | $146,000 |
| FRACTAL ANALYTICS | 2 | $101,754 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Lead 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 Lead Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Lead Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Lead Engineer is an active H-1B role. Minneapolis, MN has the most filings (261) outside Chicago, IL. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis, MN | 261 | $131,851 |
| Austin, TX | 183 | $72,717 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 98 | $96,221 |
| Richfield, MN | 84 | $75,234 |
| Plano, TX | 79 | $78,645 |
| San Jose, CA | 77 | $96,221 |
| Irving, TX | 75 | $78,645 |
| New York, NY | 67 | $120,000 |
| Houston, TX | 64 | $84,510 |
| Brooklyn Park, MN | 61 | $130,998 |
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 Engineer role here (3,030 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Manager at a median of $142,500.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | 3,030 | $98,000 |
| Software Engineer | 2,953 | $108,160 |
| Consultant | 1,786 | $93,954 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,501 | $125,450 |
| Architect | 1,375 | $90,500 |
| Manager | 1,141 | $142,500 |
| Accountant | 1,068 | $93,064 |
| Senior Consultant | 1,010 | $114,500 |
| Assistant Professor | 947 | $95,000 |
| Systems Analyst | 797 | $93,600 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Lead Engineer in Chicago, IL is $102,690, based on 53 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 23% higher than the national Lead Engineer H-1B median of $83,283 across all U.S. locations. It is also 1% lower than the overall H-1B median of $103,333 in Chicago, IL across all job titles.
Salaries span a $67,309 range from the 10th percentile ($73,237) to the 90th percentile ($140,546). The middle 50% of workers earn between $87,838 and $121,389, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
TRANSUNION is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Chicago, IL, with 19 certified filings at a median salary of $100,000. Among the top employers, FITCH RATINGS pays the highest median at $146,000. The pay spread across top employers is 99%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Lead Engineer H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, answered directly from 53 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 Engineer salary in Chicago, IL?
The median H-1B salary for Lead Engineer positions in Chicago, IL is $102,690, based on 53 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $73,237
- 25th percentile
- $87,838
- Median
- $102,690
- 75th percentile
- $121,389
- 90th percentile
- $140,546
The salary distribution for Lead Engineer roles in Chicago, IL shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $73,237, while the 90th percentile earns $140,546. This $67,309 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $126,302, Lead Engineer salaries in Chicago, IL are 19% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Lead Engineers in Chicago, IL?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Lead Engineer positions in Chicago, IL are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Lead Engineer roles specifically in Chicago, IL. TRANSUNION leads with 19 filings at a median salary of $100,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $73,237 to $146,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Lead Engineer in Chicago, IL?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Lead 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, 53 H-1B positions for Lead 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.