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H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q1

Senior Data Scientist H-1B Salary in Chicago, IL

Employers have filed 373 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Senior Data Scientist positions in Chicago, IL, with a median salary of $128,000. That's 11% lower than the national Senior Data Scientist H-1B median of $143,770 across all U.S. locations, and 25% higher than the Chicago, IL all-roles H-1B median of $102,690. Senior Data Scientist ranks #24 among H-1B job titles filed from Chicago, IL.

Headline numbers for Senior Data Scientist H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #721 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Senior Data Scientist hiring.

$128,000
Median Salary
373
Certified Filings
$85,000
10th Percentile
$170,000
90th Percentile

Senior Data Scientist H-1B Salary Range in Chicago, IL

The pay distribution for this role spans $85,000 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $105,102 and $150,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Senior Data Scientists land. The median of $128,000 sits 11% lower than the national Senior Data Scientist H-1B median.

10th percentile
$85,000
25th percentile
$105,102
Median
$128,000
75th percentile
$150,000
90th percentile
$170,000
Middle 50% of Senior Data Scientist H-1B salaries in Chicago, IL: $105,102 to $150,000

Top Employers Hiring Senior Data Scientists in Chicago, IL

DISCOVER PRODUCTS is the largest H-1B sponsor for Senior Data Scientist in Chicago, IL, with 21 certified filings (6% of local Senior Data Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $76,000. Among the top sponsors, CAREMARK pays the highest median at $151,188. The pay spread across top employers is 99%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.

Median Salary Comparison
UNITED AIRLINES
$117,410
CAREMARK
$151,188
PAYPAL
$150,000
84.51
$128,000

Pay spread among top employers: 99% ($76,000 at DISCOVER PRODUCTS to $151,188 at CAREMARK)

Employer Filings Median Salary
DISCOVER PRODUCTS 21 $76,000
UNITED AIRLINES 20 $117,410
CAREMARK 18 $151,188
PAYPAL 17 $150,000
84.51 15 $128,000

How This Salary Compares

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

vs. National Senior Data Scientist
-11%
11% lower than the national Senior Data Scientist H-1B median of $143,770.
vs. Chicago, IL Average
+25%
25% higher than the overall H-1B median in Chicago, IL ($102,690).

Senior Data Scientist H-1B Salaries in Other Cities

The other top metros where Senior Data Scientist is an active H-1B role. New York, NY has the most filings (950) outside Chicago, IL. The highest median among these is San Jose, CA at $180,128. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.

City Filings Median Salary
New York, NY 950 $153,570
San Francisco, CA 692 $175,000
Sunnyvale, CA 508 $168,154
Boston, MA 300 $140,000
Riverwoods, IL 289 $84,000
San Jose, CA 247 $180,128
Atlanta, GA 244 $122,900
Seattle, WA 239 $168,508
Mountain View, CA 209 $160,000
Bentonville, AR 199 $145,000

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-Senior Data Scientist 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 Senior Data Scientist in Chicago, IL is $128,000, based on 373 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 11% lower than the national Senior Data Scientist H-1B median of $143,770 across all U.S. locations. It is also 25% higher than the overall H-1B median of $102,690 in Chicago, IL across all job titles.

Salaries span a $85,000 range from the 10th percentile ($85,000) to the 90th percentile ($170,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $105,102 and $150,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.

DISCOVER PRODUCTS is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Chicago, IL, with 21 certified filings at a median salary of $76,000. Among the top employers, CAREMARK pays the highest median at $151,188. The pay spread across top employers is 99%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common questions people ask about Senior Data Scientist H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, answered directly from 373 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 Senior Data Scientist salary in Chicago, IL?

The median H-1B salary for Senior Data Scientist positions in Chicago, IL is $128,000, based on 373 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.

10th percentile
$85,000
25th percentile
$105,102
Median
$128,000
75th percentile
$150,000
90th percentile
$170,000

The salary distribution for Senior Data Scientist roles in Chicago, IL shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $85,000, while the 90th percentile earns $170,000. This $85,000 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.

Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Senior Data Scientist salaries in Chicago, IL are 2% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.

Which companies hire Senior Data Scientists in Chicago, IL?

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

UNITED AIRLINES
$117,410
CAREMARK
$151,188
PAYPAL
$150,000
84.51
$128,000

These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Senior Data Scientist roles specifically in Chicago, IL. DISCOVER PRODUCTS leads with 21 filings at a median salary of $76,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $76,000 to $151,188.

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

To obtain an H-1B visa as a Senior Data Scientist 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, 373 H-1B positions for Senior Data Scientists 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.