Lead Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Chicago, IL
Employers have filed 364 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Lead Software Engineer positions in Chicago, IL, with a median salary of $138,000. That's 1% lower than the national Lead Software Engineer H-1B median of $139,027 across all U.S. locations, and 34% higher than the Chicago, IL all-roles H-1B median of $102,690. Lead Software Engineer ranks #26 among H-1B job titles filed from Chicago, IL.
Headline numbers for Lead Software Engineer H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #753 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Lead Software Engineer hiring.
Lead Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Chicago, IL
The pay distribution for this role spans $70,984 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $114,067 and $154,800, the interquartile range where most experienced Lead Software Engineers land. The median of $138,000 sits 1% lower than the national Lead Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $94,016
- 25th percentile
- $114,067
- Median
- $138,000
- 75th percentile
- $154,800
- 90th percentile
- $165,000
Top Employers Hiring Lead Software Engineers in Chicago, IL
JPMORGAN CHASE is the largest H-1B sponsor for Lead Software Engineer in Chicago, IL, with 59 certified filings (16% of local Lead Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $158,200. The pay spread across top employers is 68%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 68% ($94,016 at CAPITAL ONE SERVICES to $158,200 at JPMORGAN CHASE)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| JPMORGAN CHASE | 59 | $158,200 |
| CAPITAL ONE SERVICES | 33 | $94,016 |
| CATERPILLAR | 27 | $146,000 |
| MORNINGSTAR | 22 | $130,000 |
| UST GLOBAL | 18 | $100,955 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Lead Software 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 Software Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Lead Software Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Lead Software Engineer is an active H-1B role. Plano, TX has the most filings (740) outside Chicago, IL. The highest median among these is San Francisco, CA at $176,800. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Plano, TX | 740 | $153,900 |
| Charlotte, NC | 675 | $134,347 |
| San Francisco, CA | 411 | $176,800 |
| San Jose, CA | 402 | $164,403 |
| Jersey City, NJ | 395 | $170,000 |
| New York, NY | 394 | $160,000 |
| O'Fallon, MO | 320 | $125,000 |
| Columbus, OH | 294 | $142,000 |
| Atlanta, GA | 289 | $135,908 |
| Alpharetta, GA | 285 | $120,000 |
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 Software Engineer 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 Lead Software Engineer in Chicago, IL is $138,000, based on 364 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 1% lower than the national Lead Software Engineer H-1B median of $139,027 across all U.S. locations. It is also 34% higher than the overall H-1B median of $102,690 in Chicago, IL across all job titles.
Salaries span a $70,984 range from the 10th percentile ($94,016) to the 90th percentile ($165,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $114,067 and $154,800, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
JPMORGAN CHASE is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Chicago, IL, with 59 certified filings at a median salary of $158,200. The pay spread across top employers is 68%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Lead Software Engineer H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, answered directly from 364 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 Software Engineer salary in Chicago, IL?
The median H-1B salary for Lead Software Engineer positions in Chicago, IL is $138,000, based on 364 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $94,016
- 25th percentile
- $114,067
- Median
- $138,000
- 75th percentile
- $154,800
- 90th percentile
- $165,000
The salary distribution for Lead Software Engineer roles in Chicago, IL shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $94,016, while the 90th percentile earns $165,000. This $70,984 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Lead Software Engineer salaries in Chicago, IL are 6% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Lead Software Engineers in Chicago, IL?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Lead Software Engineer positions in Chicago, IL are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Lead Software Engineer roles specifically in Chicago, IL. JPMORGAN CHASE leads with 59 filings at a median salary of $158,200. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $94,016 to $158,200.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Lead Software Engineer in Chicago, IL?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Lead Software 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, 364 H-1B positions for Lead Software 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.