Senior Engineer H-1B Salary in Chicago, IL
Employers have filed 99 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Senior Engineer positions in Chicago, IL, with a median salary of $120,000. That's 6% lower than the national Senior Engineer H-1B median of $128,027 across all U.S. locations, and 17% higher than the Chicago, IL all-roles H-1B median of $102,690. Senior Engineer ranks #74 among H-1B job titles filed from Chicago, IL.
Headline numbers for Senior Engineer H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #3,416 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Senior Engineer hiring.
Senior Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Chicago, IL
The pay distribution for this role spans $93,097 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $90,709 and $140,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Senior Engineers land. The median of $120,000 sits 6% lower than the national Senior Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $80,000
- 25th percentile
- $90,709
- Median
- $120,000
- 75th percentile
- $140,000
- 90th percentile
- $173,097
Top Employers Hiring Senior Engineers in Chicago, IL
TRANSUNION is the largest H-1B sponsor for Senior Engineer in Chicago, IL, with 17 certified filings (17% of local Senior Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $103,126. Among the top sponsors, NIELSEN CONSUMER pays the highest median at $140,000. The pay spread across top employers is 70%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 70% ($82,368 at IBASE OPERATIONS to $140,000 at NIELSEN CONSUMER)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| TRANSUNION | 17 | $103,126 |
| NIELSEN CONSUMER | 12 | $140,000 |
| S&C ELECTRIC | 9 | $140,000 |
| THORNTON TOMASETTI | 6 | $87,000 |
| IBASE OPERATIONS | 6 | $82,368 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Senior 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 Senior Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Senior Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Senior Engineer is an active H-1B role. Phoenix, AZ has the most filings (801) outside Chicago, IL. The highest median among these is New York, NY at $168,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, AZ | 801 | $144,672 |
| Austin, TX | 365 | $126,495 |
| New York, NY | 297 | $168,000 |
| San Jose, CA | 259 | $150,000 |
| Minneapolis, MN | 219 | $113,776 |
| Boston, MA | 139 | $160,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 119 | $147,368 |
| Sunrise, FL | 108 | $145,000 |
| San Diego, CA | 92 | $126,880 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 91 | $127,327 |
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 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 Senior Engineer in Chicago, IL is $120,000, based on 99 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 6% lower than the national Senior Engineer H-1B median of $128,027 across all U.S. locations. It is also 17% higher than the overall H-1B median of $102,690 in Chicago, IL across all job titles.
Salaries span a $93,097 range from the 10th percentile ($80,000) to the 90th percentile ($173,097). The middle 50% of workers earn between $90,709 and $140,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
TRANSUNION is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Chicago, IL, with 17 certified filings at a median salary of $103,126. Among the top employers, NIELSEN CONSUMER pays the highest median at $140,000. The pay spread across top employers is 70%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Senior Engineer H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, answered directly from 99 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 Engineer salary in Chicago, IL?
The median H-1B salary for Senior Engineer positions in Chicago, IL is $120,000, based on 99 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $80,000
- 25th percentile
- $90,709
- Median
- $120,000
- 75th percentile
- $140,000
- 90th percentile
- $173,097
The salary distribution for Senior Engineer roles in Chicago, IL shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $80,000, while the 90th percentile earns $173,097. This $93,097 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Senior Engineer salaries in Chicago, IL are 8% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Senior Engineers in Chicago, IL?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Senior Engineer positions in Chicago, IL are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Senior Engineer roles specifically in Chicago, IL. TRANSUNION leads with 17 filings at a median salary of $103,126. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $82,368 to $140,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Senior Engineer in Chicago, IL?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Senior 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, 99 H-1B positions for Senior 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.