Senior Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Chicago, IL
Employers have filed 1,422 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Senior Software Engineer positions in Chicago, IL, with a median salary of $125,000. That's 8% lower than the national Senior Software Engineer H-1B median of $135,304 across all U.S. locations, and 22% higher than the Chicago, IL all-roles H-1B median of $102,690. Senior Software Engineer ranks #4 among H-1B job titles filed from Chicago, IL.
Headline numbers for Senior Software Engineer H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #106 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Senior Software Engineer hiring.
Senior Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Chicago, IL
The pay distribution for this role spans $69,550 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $108,077 and $145,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Senior Software Engineers land. The median of $125,000 sits 8% lower than the national Senior Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $94,700
- 25th percentile
- $108,077
- Median
- $125,000
- 75th percentile
- $145,000
- 90th percentile
- $164,250
Top Employers Hiring Senior Software Engineers in Chicago, IL
CAPITAL ONE SERVICES is the largest H-1B sponsor for Senior Software Engineer in Chicago, IL, with 74 certified filings (5% of local Senior Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $144,560. The pay spread across top employers is 31%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 31% ($110,000 at GE HEALTHCARE IITS USA to $144,560 at CAPITAL ONE SERVICES)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| CAPITAL ONE SERVICES | 74 | $144,560 |
| HERE NORTH AMERICA | 54 | $110,328 |
| CATERPILLAR | 43 | $134,118 |
| CHICAGO MERCANTILE EXCHANGE | 37 | $125,500 |
| GE HEALTHCARE IITS USA | 37 | $110,000 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Senior Software 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 Software Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Senior Software Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Senior Software Engineer is an active H-1B role. San Francisco, CA has the most filings (4,884) outside Chicago, IL. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | 4,884 | $180,000 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 4,575 | $160,000 |
| New York, NY | 3,530 | $155,000 |
| San Jose, CA | 2,733 | $175,000 |
| Austin, TX | 2,343 | $130,000 |
| Seattle, WA | 2,083 | $179,546 |
| Charlotte, NC | 1,918 | $128,232 |
| Mountain View, CA | 1,867 | $167,149 |
| Bentonville, AR | 1,706 | $126,363 |
| San Diego, CA | 1,673 | $121,597 |
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 Software 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 |
| 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 |
| Research Associate | 731 | $62,500 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Senior Software Engineer in Chicago, IL is $125,000, based on 1,422 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 8% lower than the national Senior Software Engineer H-1B median of $135,304 across all U.S. locations. It is also 22% higher than the overall H-1B median of $102,690 in Chicago, IL across all job titles.
Salaries span a $69,550 range from the 10th percentile ($94,700) to the 90th percentile ($164,250). The middle 50% of workers earn between $108,077 and $145,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
CAPITAL ONE SERVICES is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Chicago, IL, with 74 certified filings at a median salary of $144,560. The pay spread across top employers is 31%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Senior Software Engineer H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, answered directly from 1,422 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 Software Engineer salary in Chicago, IL?
The median H-1B salary for Senior Software Engineer positions in Chicago, IL is $125,000, based on 1,422 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $94,700
- 25th percentile
- $108,077
- Median
- $125,000
- 75th percentile
- $145,000
- 90th percentile
- $164,250
The salary distribution for Senior Software Engineer roles in Chicago, IL shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $94,700, while the 90th percentile earns $164,250. This $69,550 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Senior Software Engineer salaries in Chicago, IL are 4% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Senior Software Engineers in Chicago, IL?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Senior Software Engineer positions in Chicago, IL are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Senior Software Engineer roles specifically in Chicago, IL. CAPITAL ONE SERVICES leads with 74 filings at a median salary of $144,560. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $110,000 to $144,560.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Senior Software Engineer in Chicago, IL?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Senior Software 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, 1,422 H-1B positions for Senior Software 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.