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H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q1

Security Engineer H-1B Salary in Chicago, IL

Employers have filed 81 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Security Engineer positions in Chicago, IL, with a median salary of $98,946. That's 9% lower than the national Security Engineer H-1B median of $108,347 across all U.S. locations, and 4% lower than the Chicago, IL all-roles H-1B median of $102,690. Security Engineer ranks #90 among H-1B job titles filed from Chicago, IL.

Headline numbers for Security Engineer H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #4,224 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Security Engineer hiring.

$98,946
Median Salary
81
Certified Filings
$80,000
10th Percentile
$155,000
90th Percentile

Security Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Chicago, IL

The pay distribution for this role spans $75,000 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $88,982 and $126,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Security Engineers land. The median of $98,946 sits 9% lower than the national Security Engineer H-1B median.

10th percentile
$80,000
25th percentile
$88,982
Median
$98,946
75th percentile
$126,000
90th percentile
$155,000
Middle 50% of Security Engineer H-1B salaries in Chicago, IL: $88,982 to $126,000

Top Employers Hiring Security Engineers in Chicago, IL

THE NORTHERN TRUST is the largest H-1B sponsor for Security Engineer in Chicago, IL, with 9 certified filings (11% of local Security Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $129,582. Among the top sponsors, META pays the highest median at $164,000. The pay spread across top employers is 74%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.

Median Salary Comparison
UNIQUE TECH
$95,680
META
$164,000
SERVICENOW
$94,494

Pay spread among top employers: 74% ($94,494 at SERVICENOW to $164,000 at META)

Employer Filings Median Salary
THE NORTHERN TRUST 9 $129,582
GUGGENHEIM SERVICES 3 $117,125
UNIQUE TECH 3 $95,680
META 3 $164,000
SERVICENOW 3 $94,494

How This Salary Compares

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

vs. National Security Engineer
-9%
9% lower than the national Security Engineer H-1B median of $108,347.
vs. Chicago, IL Average
-4%
4% lower than the overall H-1B median in Chicago, IL ($102,690).

Security Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities

The other top metros where Security Engineer is an active H-1B role. San Francisco, CA has the most filings (220) outside Chicago, IL. The highest median among these is Menlo Park, CA at $181,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.

City Filings Median Salary
San Francisco, CA 220 $160,000
New York, NY 214 $126,750
Austin, TX 186 $115,000
San Jose, CA 167 $160,994
Sunnyvale, CA 150 $162,000
Irving, TX 103 $97,760
Seattle, WA 87 $140,000
Menlo Park, CA 74 $181,000
Plano, TX 69 $95,000
Alpharetta, GA 61 $100,901

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-Security Engineer 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 Security Engineer in Chicago, IL is $98,946, based on 81 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 9% lower than the national Security Engineer H-1B median of $108,347 across all U.S. locations. It is also 4% lower than the overall H-1B median of $102,690 in Chicago, IL across all job titles.

Salaries span a $75,000 range from the 10th percentile ($80,000) to the 90th percentile ($155,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $88,982 and $126,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.

THE NORTHERN TRUST is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Chicago, IL, with 9 certified filings at a median salary of $129,582. Among the top employers, META pays the highest median at $164,000. The pay spread across top employers is 74%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common questions people ask about Security Engineer H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, answered directly from 81 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 Security Engineer salary in Chicago, IL?

The median H-1B salary for Security Engineer positions in Chicago, IL is $98,946, based on 81 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.

10th percentile
$80,000
25th percentile
$88,982
Median
$98,946
75th percentile
$126,000
90th percentile
$155,000

The salary distribution for Security Engineer roles in Chicago, IL shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $80,000, while the 90th percentile earns $155,000. This $75,000 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.

Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Security Engineer salaries in Chicago, IL are 24% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.

Which companies hire Security Engineers in Chicago, IL?

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

UNIQUE TECH
$95,680
META
$164,000
SERVICENOW
$94,494

These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Security Engineer roles specifically in Chicago, IL. THE NORTHERN TRUST leads with 9 filings at a median salary of $129,582. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $94,494 to $164,000.

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

To obtain an H-1B visa as a Security Engineer 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, 81 H-1B positions for Security 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.