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H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q3

Professor H-1B Salary in Chicago, IL

Employers have filed 78 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Professor positions in Chicago, IL, with a median salary of $83,000. That's 10% lower than the national Professor H-1B median of $92,435 across all U.S. locations, and 20% lower than the Chicago, IL all-roles H-1B median of $103,333. Professor ranks #99 among H-1B job titles filed from Chicago, IL.

Headline numbers for Professor H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #4,698 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Professor hiring.

$83,000
Median Salary
78
Certified Filings
$59,884
10th Percentile
$179,514
90th Percentile

Professor H-1B Salary Range in Chicago, IL

The pay distribution for this role spans $119,630 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $64,487 and $104,936, the interquartile range where most experienced Professors land. The median of $83,000 sits 10% lower than the national Professor H-1B median.

10th percentile
$59,884
25th percentile
$64,487
Median
$83,000
75th percentile
$104,936
90th percentile
$179,514
Middle 50% of Professor H-1B salaries in Chicago, IL: $64,487 to $104,936

Top Employers Hiring Professors in Chicago, IL

THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO is the largest H-1B sponsor for Professor in Chicago, IL, with 52 certified filings (67% of local Professor H-1B filings) at a median salary of $69,968. Among the top sponsors, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO pays the highest median at $179,514. The pay spread across top employers is 157%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.

Median Salary Comparison

Pay spread among top employers: 157% ($69,968 at THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO to $179,514 at UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO)

How This Salary Compares

Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Professor 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 Professor pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.

vs. National Professor
-10%
10% lower than the national Professor H-1B median of $92,435.
vs. Chicago, IL Average
-20%
20% lower than the overall H-1B median in Chicago, IL ($103,333).

Professor H-1B Salaries in Other Cities

The other top metros where Professor is an active H-1B role. University Park, PA has the most filings (299) outside Chicago, IL. The highest median among these is San Francisco, CA at $234,876. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.

City Filings Median Salary
University Park, PA 299 $70,032
Indianapolis, IN 130 $70,000
San Francisco, CA 100 $234,876
Boston, MA 98 $127,000
New York, NY 90 $185,000
Los Angeles, CA 87 $150,000
Savannah, GA 82 $75,383
Storrs, CT 82 $74,845
Columbia, MO 78 $61,181
Tempe, AZ 72 $75,000

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-Professor 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 Professor in Chicago, IL is $83,000, based on 78 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 10% lower than the national Professor H-1B median of $92,435 across all U.S. locations. It is also 20% lower than the overall H-1B median of $103,333 in Chicago, IL across all job titles.

Salaries span a $119,630 range from the 10th percentile ($59,884) to the 90th percentile ($179,514). The middle 50% of workers earn between $64,487 and $104,936, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.

THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Chicago, IL, with 52 certified filings at a median salary of $69,968. Among the top employers, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO pays the highest median at $179,514. The pay spread across top employers is 157%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common questions people ask about Professor H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, answered directly from 78 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 Professor salary in Chicago, IL?

The median H-1B salary for Professor positions in Chicago, IL is $83,000, based on 78 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.

10th percentile
$59,884
25th percentile
$64,487
Median
$83,000
75th percentile
$104,936
90th percentile
$179,514

The salary distribution for Professor roles in Chicago, IL shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $59,884, while the 90th percentile earns $179,514. This $119,630 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.

Compared to the national H-1B median of $126,302, Professor salaries in Chicago, IL are 34% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.

Which companies hire Professors in Chicago, IL?

The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Professor positions in Chicago, IL are:

These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Professor roles specifically in Chicago, IL. THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO leads with 52 filings at a median salary of $69,968. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $69,968 to $179,514.

How do I get an H-1B visa as a Professor in Chicago, IL?

To obtain an H-1B visa as a Professor in Chicago, IL, you'll need a sponsoring employer. The process involves several steps:

1
Job Offer
2
LCA Filed
3
H-1B Petition
4
Approved
  1. Secure a job offer from a U.S. employer willing to sponsor your H-1B visa
  2. The employer files a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor
  3. Once the LCA is certified, the employer files an H-1B petition with USCIS
  4. If selected in the H-1B lottery (if applicable) and approved, you can begin work

Based on our data, 78 H-1B positions for Professors 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.