Technical Lead H-1B Salary in Chicago, IL
Employers have filed 134 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Technical Lead positions in Chicago, IL, with a median salary of $88,150. That's 5% lower than the national Technical Lead H-1B median of $92,560 across all U.S. locations, and 14% lower than the Chicago, IL all-roles H-1B median of $102,690. Technical Lead ranks #56 among H-1B job titles filed from Chicago, IL.
Headline numbers for Technical Lead H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #2,481 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Technical Lead hiring.
Technical Lead H-1B Salary Range in Chicago, IL
The pay distribution for this role spans $55,586 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $78,354 and $107,931, the interquartile range where most experienced Technical Leads land. The median of $88,150 sits 5% lower than the national Technical Lead H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $75,754
- 25th percentile
- $78,354
- Median
- $88,150
- 75th percentile
- $107,931
- 90th percentile
- $131,340
Top Employers Hiring Technical Leads in Chicago, IL
PHOTON INFOTECH is the largest H-1B sponsor for Technical Lead in Chicago, IL, with 40 certified filings (30% of local Technical Lead H-1B filings) at a median salary of $87,838. Among the top sponsors, FITCH RATINGS pays the highest median at $144,560. The pay spread across top employers is 87%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 87% ($77,438 at IBS SOFTWARE AMERICAS, . (F/K/A IBS SOFTWARE SERVICES AMERICAS, .) to $144,560 at FITCH RATINGS)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| PHOTON INFOTECH | 40 | $87,838 |
| TATA | 40 | $78,354 |
| NAGARRO | 6 | $87,838 |
| FITCH RATINGS | 6 | $144,560 |
| IBS SOFTWARE AMERICAS, . (F/K/A IBS SOFTWARE SERVICES AMERICAS, .) | 5 | $77,438 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Technical Lead 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 Technical Lead pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Technical Lead H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Technical Lead is an active H-1B role. Atlanta, GA has the most filings (402) outside Chicago, IL. The highest median among these is New York, NY at $100,526. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA | 402 | $80,371 |
| Redmond, WA | 314 | $90,000 |
| Irving, TX | 284 | $93,517 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 263 | $87,000 |
| Louisville, KY | 186 | $85,925 |
| New York, NY | 182 | $100,526 |
| Collierville, TN | 155 | $89,438 |
| Dallas, TX | 150 | $94,000 |
| Charlotte, NC | 126 | $88,670 |
| Alpharetta, GA | 121 | $98,990 |
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-Technical Lead 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 Technical Lead in Chicago, IL is $88,150, based on 134 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 5% lower than the national Technical Lead H-1B median of $92,560 across all U.S. locations. It is also 14% lower than the overall H-1B median of $102,690 in Chicago, IL across all job titles.
Salaries span a $55,586 range from the 10th percentile ($75,754) to the 90th percentile ($131,340). The middle 50% of workers earn between $78,354 and $107,931, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
PHOTON INFOTECH is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Chicago, IL, with 40 certified filings at a median salary of $87,838. Among the top employers, FITCH RATINGS pays the highest median at $144,560. The pay spread across top employers is 87%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Technical Lead H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, answered directly from 134 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 Technical Lead salary in Chicago, IL?
The median H-1B salary for Technical Lead positions in Chicago, IL is $88,150, based on 134 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $75,754
- 25th percentile
- $78,354
- Median
- $88,150
- 75th percentile
- $107,931
- 90th percentile
- $131,340
The salary distribution for Technical Lead roles in Chicago, IL shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $75,754, while the 90th percentile earns $131,340. This $55,586 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Technical Lead salaries in Chicago, IL are 33% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Technical Leads in Chicago, IL?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Technical Lead positions in Chicago, IL are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Technical Lead roles specifically in Chicago, IL. PHOTON INFOTECH leads with 40 filings at a median salary of $87,838. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $77,438 to $144,560.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Technical Lead in Chicago, IL?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Technical Lead 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, 134 H-1B positions for Technical Leads 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.