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H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q1

Research Analyst H-1B Salary in Chicago, IL

Employers have filed 56 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Analyst positions in Chicago, IL, with a median salary of $80,080. That's 11% lower than the national Research Analyst H-1B median of $90,120 across all U.S. locations, and 22% lower than the Chicago, IL all-roles H-1B median of $102,690. Research Analyst ranks #126 among H-1B job titles filed from Chicago, IL.

Headline numbers for Research Analyst H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #6,282 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Research Analyst hiring.

$80,080
Median Salary
56
Certified Filings
$48,048
10th Percentile
$180,000
90th Percentile

Research Analyst H-1B Salary Range in Chicago, IL

The pay distribution for this role spans $131,952 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $65,000 and $103,164, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Analysts land. The median of $80,080 sits 11% lower than the national Research Analyst H-1B median.

10th percentile
$48,048
25th percentile
$65,000
Median
$80,080
75th percentile
$103,164
90th percentile
$180,000
Middle 50% of Research Analyst H-1B salaries in Chicago, IL: $65,000 to $103,164

Top Employers Hiring Research Analysts in Chicago, IL

THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Analyst in Chicago, IL, with 20 certified filings (36% of local Research Analyst H-1B filings) at a median salary of $65,000. Among the top sponsors, WILLIAM BLAIR INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT pays the highest median at $179,600. The pay spread across top employers is 284%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.

Median Salary Comparison

Pay spread among top employers: 284% ($46,800 at COALITION FOR A BETTER CHINESE AMERICAN COMMUNITY to $179,600 at WILLIAM BLAIR INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT)

How This Salary Compares

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

vs. National Research Analyst
-11%
11% lower than the national Research Analyst H-1B median of $90,120.
vs. Chicago, IL Average
-22%
22% lower than the overall H-1B median in Chicago, IL ($102,690).

Research Analyst H-1B Salaries in Other Cities

The other top metros where Research Analyst is an active H-1B role. New York, NY has the most filings (459) outside Chicago, IL. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.

City Filings Median Salary
New York, NY 459 $140,000
Cambridge, MA 71 $72,000
Boston, MA 69 $90,108
Cary, NC 59 $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-Research Analyst 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 Research Analyst in Chicago, IL is $80,080, based on 56 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 11% lower than the national Research Analyst H-1B median of $90,120 across all U.S. locations. It is also 22% lower than the overall H-1B median of $102,690 in Chicago, IL across all job titles.

Salaries span a $131,952 range from the 10th percentile ($48,048) to the 90th percentile ($180,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $65,000 and $103,164, 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 20 certified filings at a median salary of $65,000. Among the top employers, WILLIAM BLAIR INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT pays the highest median at $179,600. The pay spread across top employers is 284%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common questions people ask about Research Analyst H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, answered directly from 56 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 Research Analyst salary in Chicago, IL?

The median H-1B salary for Research Analyst positions in Chicago, IL is $80,080, based on 56 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.

10th percentile
$48,048
25th percentile
$65,000
Median
$80,080
75th percentile
$103,164
90th percentile
$180,000

The salary distribution for Research Analyst roles in Chicago, IL shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $48,048, while the 90th percentile earns $180,000. This $131,952 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.

Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Research Analyst salaries in Chicago, IL are 39% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.

Which companies hire Research Analysts in Chicago, IL?

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

These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Analyst roles specifically in Chicago, IL. THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO leads with 20 filings at a median salary of $65,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $46,800 to $179,600.

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

To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Analyst 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, 56 H-1B positions for Research Analysts 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.