Staff Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Chicago, IL
Employers have filed 74 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Staff Research Scientist positions in Chicago, IL, with a median salary of $74,000. That's 9% lower than the national Staff Research Scientist H-1B median of $81,264 across all U.S. locations, and 28% lower than the Chicago, IL all-roles H-1B median of $102,294. Staff Research Scientist ranks #94 among H-1B job titles filed from Chicago, IL.
Headline numbers for Staff Research Scientist H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #4,517 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Staff Research Scientist hiring.
Staff Research Scientist H-1B Salary Range in Chicago, IL
The pay distribution for this role spans $24,168 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $68,500 and $80,912, the interquartile range where most experienced Staff Research Scientists land. The median of $74,000 sits 9% lower than the national Staff Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $65,832
- 25th percentile
- $68,500
- Median
- $74,000
- 75th percentile
- $80,912
- 90th percentile
- $90,000
Top Employers Hiring Staff Research Scientists in Chicago, IL
THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO is the largest H-1B sponsor for Staff Research Scientist in Chicago, IL, with 64 certified filings (86% of local Staff Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $72,000. Among the top sponsors, INDEED pays the highest median at $154,000. The pay spread across top employers is 114%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 114% ($72,000 at THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO to $154,000 at INDEED)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO | 64 | $72,000 |
| SERVICENOW | 2 | $144,560 |
| BRAUN INTERTEC | 2 | $80,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO | 2 | $79,019 |
| INDEED | 1 | $154,000 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Staff Research 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 Staff Research Scientist pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Staff Research Scientist H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Staff Research Scientist is an active H-1B role. St. Louis, MO has the most filings (375) outside Chicago, IL. The highest median among these is San Francisco, CA at $152,800. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO | 375 | $60,375 |
| Bethesda, MD | 262 | $116,413 |
| Duarte, CA | 125 | $75,578 |
| La Jolla, CA | 119 | $76,877 |
| Seattle, WA | 88 | $92,000 |
| New York, NY | 82 | $80,500 |
| Boston, MA | 79 | $89,170 |
| Houston, TX | 75 | $70,000 |
| Nashville, TN | 63 | $72,100 |
| San Francisco, CA | 59 | $152,800 |
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-Staff Research Scientist role here (2,866 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Manager at a median of $139,776.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | 2,866 | $97,781 |
| Software Engineer | 2,677 | $107,500 |
| Consultant | 1,662 | $92,061 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,373 | $125,000 |
| Architect | 1,306 | $90,397 |
| Manager | 1,082 | $139,776 |
| Accountant | 998 | $93,000 |
| Senior Consultant | 937 | $114,067 |
| Assistant Professor | 866 | $94,000 |
| Systems Analyst | 780 | $93,600 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Staff Research Scientist in Chicago, IL is $74,000, based on 74 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 9% lower than the national Staff Research Scientist H-1B median of $81,264 across all U.S. locations. It is also 28% lower than the overall H-1B median of $102,294 in Chicago, IL across all job titles.
Salaries span a $24,168 range from the 10th percentile ($65,832) to the 90th percentile ($90,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $68,500 and $80,912, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Chicago, IL, with 64 certified filings at a median salary of $72,000. Among the top employers, INDEED pays the highest median at $154,000. The pay spread across top employers is 114%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Staff Research Scientist H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, answered directly from 74 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 Staff Research Scientist salary in Chicago, IL?
The median H-1B salary for Staff Research Scientist positions in Chicago, IL is $74,000, based on 74 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $65,832
- 25th percentile
- $68,500
- Median
- $74,000
- 75th percentile
- $80,912
- 90th percentile
- $90,000
The salary distribution for Staff Research Scientist roles in Chicago, IL shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $65,832, while the 90th percentile earns $90,000. This $24,168 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Staff Research Scientist salaries in Chicago, IL are 43% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Staff Research Scientists in Chicago, IL?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Staff Research Scientist positions in Chicago, IL are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Staff Research Scientist roles specifically in Chicago, IL. THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO leads with 64 filings at a median salary of $72,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $72,000 to $154,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Staff Research Scientist in Chicago, IL?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Staff Research Scientist 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, 74 H-1B positions for Staff Research 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.