Research Associate H-1B Salary in Chicago, IL
Employers have filed 704 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Associate positions in Chicago, IL, with a median salary of $62,000. That's 4% lower than the national Research Associate H-1B median of $64,522 across all U.S. locations, and 39% lower than the Chicago, IL all-roles H-1B median of $102,294. Research Associate ranks #11 among H-1B job titles filed from Chicago, IL.
Headline numbers for Research Associate H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #286 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Research Associate hiring.
Research Associate H-1B Salary Range in Chicago, IL
The pay distribution for this role spans $26,240 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $57,000 and $69,654, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Associates land. The median of $62,000 sits 4% lower than the national Research Associate H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $53,760
- 25th percentile
- $57,000
- Median
- $62,000
- 75th percentile
- $69,654
- 90th percentile
- $80,000
Top Employers Hiring Research Associates in Chicago, IL
THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Associate in Chicago, IL, with 330 certified filings (47% of local Research Associate H-1B filings) at a median salary of $60,000. Among the top sponsors, WILLIAM BLAIR & pays the highest median at $115,000. The pay spread across top employers is 92%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 92% ($60,000 at THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO to $115,000 at WILLIAM BLAIR &)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO | 330 | $60,000 |
| NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY | 238 | $63,960 |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO | 84 | $65,000 |
| WILLIAM BLAIR & | 8 | $115,000 |
| NATIONAL ECONOMIC RESEARCH ASSOCIATES | 6 | $89,000 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Research Associate 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 Associate pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Research Associate H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Research Associate is an active H-1B role. New York, NY has the most filings (930) outside Chicago, IL. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 930 | $73,000 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 768 | $65,292 |
| San Francisco, CA | 690 | $69,209 |
| Berkeley, CA | 645 | $71,908 |
| Stanford, CA | 638 | $71,650 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 497 | $64,522 |
| Dallas, TX | 489 | $57,456 |
| Baltimore, MD | 412 | $68,500 |
| La Jolla, CA | 333 | $65,292 |
| Seattle, WA | 321 | $65,004 |
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 Associate 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 Research Associate in Chicago, IL is $62,000, based on 704 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 4% lower than the national Research Associate H-1B median of $64,522 across all U.S. locations. It is also 39% lower than the overall H-1B median of $102,294 in Chicago, IL across all job titles.
Salaries span a $26,240 range from the 10th percentile ($53,760) to the 90th percentile ($80,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $57,000 and $69,654, 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 330 certified filings at a median salary of $60,000. Among the top employers, WILLIAM BLAIR & pays the highest median at $115,000. The pay spread across top employers is 92%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Research Associate H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, answered directly from 704 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 Associate salary in Chicago, IL?
The median H-1B salary for Research Associate positions in Chicago, IL is $62,000, based on 704 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $53,760
- 25th percentile
- $57,000
- Median
- $62,000
- 75th percentile
- $69,654
- 90th percentile
- $80,000
The salary distribution for Research Associate roles in Chicago, IL shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $53,760, while the 90th percentile earns $80,000. This $26,240 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Research Associate salaries in Chicago, IL are 53% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Associates in Chicago, IL?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Associate positions in Chicago, IL are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Associate roles specifically in Chicago, IL. THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO leads with 330 filings at a median salary of $60,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $60,000 to $115,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Associate in Chicago, IL?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Associate 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, 704 H-1B positions for Research Associates 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.