Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Lake Forest, IL
Employers have filed 182 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Software Engineer positions in Lake Forest, IL, with a median salary of $130,000. That's 2% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $133,000 across all U.S. locations, and 13% higher than the Lake Forest, IL all-roles H-1B median of $115,000. Software Engineer ranks #1 among H-1B job titles filed from Lake Forest, IL.
Headline numbers for Software Engineer H-1B roles in Lake Forest, IL, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,697 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Software Engineer hiring.
Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Lake Forest, IL
The pay distribution for this role spans $63,634 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $115,000 and $145,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Software Engineers land. The median of $130,000 sits 2% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $96,366
- 25th percentile
- $115,000
- Median
- $130,000
- 75th percentile
- $145,000
- 90th percentile
- $160,000
Top Employers Hiring Software Engineers in Lake Forest, IL
GRAINGER MANAGEMENT is the largest H-1B sponsor for Software Engineer in Lake Forest, IL, with 105 certified filings (58% of local Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $130,800. The pay spread across top employers is 20%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 20% ($125,000 at W.W. GRAINGER to $150,000 at GRAINGER MANAGEMENT)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| GRAINGER MANAGEMENT | 105 | $130,800 |
| GRAINGER CORPORATE SERVICES | 24 | $141,700 |
| W.W. GRAINGER | 14 | $125,000 |
| W W GRAINGER | 9 | $130,000 |
| GRAINGER MANAGEMENT | 5 | $150,000 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national 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 Lake Forest, IL, which tells you whether Software Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Software Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Software Engineer is an active H-1B role. Redmond, WA has the most filings (23,374) outside Lake Forest, IL. The highest median among these is Menlo Park, CA at $190,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Redmond, WA | 23,374 | $155,289 |
| Mountain View, CA | 19,967 | $167,000 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 15,458 | $167,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 12,596 | $165,000 |
| New York, NY | 11,602 | $160,000 |
| Seattle, WA | 9,911 | $158,500 |
| San Jose, CA | 8,169 | $160,000 |
| Menlo Park, CA | 8,126 | $190,000 |
| Bellevue, WA | 7,788 | $161,250 |
| Austin, TX | 6,127 | $125,000 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Lake Forest, IL
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Lake Forest, IL, ranked by certified filing volume. Architect is the busiest non-Software Engineer role here (58 filings).
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Architect | 58 | $77,438 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer in Lake Forest, IL is $130,000, based on 182 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 2% lower than the national Software Engineer H-1B median of $133,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 13% higher than the overall H-1B median of $115,000 in Lake Forest, IL across all job titles.
Salaries span a $63,634 range from the 10th percentile ($96,366) to the 90th percentile ($160,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $115,000 and $145,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
GRAINGER MANAGEMENT is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Lake Forest, IL, with 105 certified filings at a median salary of $130,800. The pay spread across top employers is 20%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Software Engineer H-1B roles in Lake Forest, IL, answered directly from 182 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 Software Engineer salary in Lake Forest, IL?
The median H-1B salary for Software Engineer positions in Lake Forest, IL is $130,000, based on 182 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $96,366
- 25th percentile
- $115,000
- Median
- $130,000
- 75th percentile
- $145,000
- 90th percentile
- $160,000
The salary distribution for Software Engineer roles in Lake Forest, IL shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $96,366, while the 90th percentile earns $160,000. This $63,634 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Software Engineer salaries in Lake Forest, IL are about the same, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Software Engineers in Lake Forest, IL?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Software Engineer positions in Lake Forest, IL are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Software Engineer roles specifically in Lake Forest, IL. GRAINGER MANAGEMENT leads with 105 filings at a median salary of $130,800. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $125,000 to $150,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Lake Forest, IL?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Software Engineer in Lake Forest, 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, 182 H-1B positions for Software Engineers in Lake Forest, 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.