Principal H-1B Salary in Chicago, IL
Employers have filed 50 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Principal positions in Chicago, IL, with a median salary of $240,000. That's 2% higher than the national Principal H-1B median of $236,000 across all U.S. locations, and 135% higher than the Chicago, IL all-roles H-1B median of $102,294. Principal ranks #133 among H-1B job titles filed from Chicago, IL.
Headline numbers for Principal H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #6,832 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Principal hiring.
Principal H-1B Salary Range in Chicago, IL
The pay distribution for this role spans $240,000 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $200,000 and $252,907, the interquartile range where most experienced Principals land. The median of $240,000 sits 2% higher than the national Principal H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $160,000
- 25th percentile
- $200,000
- Median
- $240,000
- 75th percentile
- $252,907
- 90th percentile
- $400,000
Top Employers Hiring Principals in Chicago, IL
A.T. KEARNEY is the largest H-1B sponsor for Principal in Chicago, IL, with 16 certified filings (32% of local Principal H-1B filings) at a median salary of $245,000. Among the top sponsors, PWC US CONSULTING LLP pays the highest median at $400,000. The pay spread across top employers is 100%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 100% ($200,000 at THEMATHCOMPANY to $400,000 at PWC US CONSULTING LLP)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| A.T. KEARNEY | 16 | $245,000 |
| THEMATHCOMPANY | 4 | $200,000 |
| DELOITTE | 3 | $300,000 |
| PWC US CONSULTING LLP | 3 | $400,000 |
| OLIVER WYMAN | 2 | $215,000 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Principal 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 Principal pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Principal H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Principal is an active H-1B role. New York, NY has the most filings (209) outside Chicago, IL. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 209 | $236,300 |
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-Principal 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 Principal in Chicago, IL is $240,000, based on 50 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 2% higher than the national Principal H-1B median of $236,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 135% higher than the overall H-1B median of $102,294 in Chicago, IL across all job titles.
Salaries span a $240,000 range from the 10th percentile ($160,000) to the 90th percentile ($400,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $200,000 and $252,907, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
A.T. KEARNEY is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Chicago, IL, with 16 certified filings at a median salary of $245,000. Among the top employers, PWC US CONSULTING LLP pays the highest median at $400,000. The pay spread across top employers is 100%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Principal H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, answered directly from 50 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 Principal salary in Chicago, IL?
The median H-1B salary for Principal positions in Chicago, IL is $240,000, based on 50 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $160,000
- 25th percentile
- $200,000
- Median
- $240,000
- 75th percentile
- $252,907
- 90th percentile
- $400,000
The salary distribution for Principal roles in Chicago, IL shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $160,000, while the 90th percentile earns $400,000. This $240,000 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Principal salaries in Chicago, IL are 84% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Principals in Chicago, IL?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Principal positions in Chicago, IL are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Principal roles specifically in Chicago, IL. A.T. KEARNEY leads with 16 filings at a median salary of $245,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $200,000 to $400,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Principal in Chicago, IL?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Principal 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, 50 H-1B positions for Principals 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.