Project Engineer H-1B Salary in Chicago, IL
Employers have filed 129 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Project Engineer positions in Chicago, IL, with a median salary of $80,000. That's 4% lower than the national Project Engineer H-1B median of $83,200 across all U.S. locations, and 23% lower than the Chicago, IL all-roles H-1B median of $103,333. Project Engineer ranks #64 among H-1B job titles filed from Chicago, IL.
Headline numbers for Project Engineer H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #2,728 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Project Engineer hiring.
Project Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Chicago, IL
The pay distribution for this role spans $45,305 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $70,824 and $92,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Project Engineers land. The median of $80,000 sits 4% lower than the national Project Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $60,695
- 25th percentile
- $70,824
- Median
- $80,000
- 75th percentile
- $92,000
- 90th percentile
- $106,000
Top Employers Hiring Project Engineers in Chicago, IL
THE BOWA GROUP is the largest H-1B sponsor for Project Engineer in Chicago, IL, with 8 certified filings (6% of local Project Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $67,600. Among the top sponsors, S&C ELECTRIC pays the highest median at $109,310. The pay spread across top employers is 62%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 62% ($67,600 at THE BOWA GROUP to $109,310 at S&C ELECTRIC)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| THE BOWA GROUP | 8 | $67,600 |
| S&C ELECTRIC | 8 | $109,310 |
| THORNTON TOMASETTI | 8 | $80,184 |
| SUMIT CONSTRUCTION | 8 | $70,824 |
| REFLECTION WINDOW | 7 | $82,000 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Project 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 Project Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Project Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Project Engineer is an active H-1B role. New York, NY has the most filings (281) outside Chicago, IL. The highest median among these is San Francisco, CA at $94,786. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 281 | $90,000 |
| Houston, TX | 262 | $89,502 |
| Auburn Hills, MI | 162 | $84,000 |
| Troy, MI | 131 | $84,000 |
| Dallas, TX | 115 | $81,454 |
| San Francisco, CA | 114 | $94,786 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 94 | $75,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 83 | $91,520 |
| Austin, TX | 75 | $91,000 |
| Tampa, FL | 74 | $77,000 |
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-Project 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 Project Engineer in Chicago, IL is $80,000, based on 129 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 4% lower than the national Project Engineer H-1B median of $83,200 across all U.S. locations. It is also 23% lower than the overall H-1B median of $103,333 in Chicago, IL across all job titles.
Salaries span a $45,305 range from the 10th percentile ($60,695) to the 90th percentile ($106,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $70,824 and $92,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
THE BOWA GROUP is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Chicago, IL, with 8 certified filings at a median salary of $67,600. Among the top employers, S&C ELECTRIC pays the highest median at $109,310. The pay spread across top employers is 62%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Project Engineer H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, answered directly from 129 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 Project Engineer salary in Chicago, IL?
The median H-1B salary for Project Engineer positions in Chicago, IL is $80,000, based on 129 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $60,695
- 25th percentile
- $70,824
- Median
- $80,000
- 75th percentile
- $92,000
- 90th percentile
- $106,000
The salary distribution for Project Engineer roles in Chicago, IL shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $60,695, while the 90th percentile earns $106,000. This $45,305 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $126,302, Project Engineer salaries in Chicago, IL are 37% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Project Engineers in Chicago, IL?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Project Engineer positions in Chicago, IL are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Project Engineer roles specifically in Chicago, IL. THE BOWA GROUP leads with 8 filings at a median salary of $67,600. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $67,600 to $109,310.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Project Engineer in Chicago, IL?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Project 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, 129 H-1B positions for Project 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.