Test Lead H-1B Salary in Chicago, IL
Employers have filed 62 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Test Lead positions in Chicago, IL, with a median salary of $82,368. That's 5% lower than the national Test Lead H-1B median of $87,000 across all U.S. locations, and 19% lower than the Chicago, IL all-roles H-1B median of $102,294. Test Lead ranks #111 among H-1B job titles filed from Chicago, IL.
Headline numbers for Test Lead H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #5,443 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Test Lead hiring.
Test Lead H-1B Salary Range in Chicago, IL
The pay distribution for this role spans $31,163 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $77,438 and $95,555, the interquartile range where most experienced Test Leads land. The median of $82,368 sits 5% lower than the national Test Lead H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $75,837
- 25th percentile
- $77,438
- Median
- $82,368
- 75th percentile
- $95,555
- 90th percentile
- $107,000
Top Employers Hiring Test Leads in Chicago, IL
SLK AMERICA is the largest H-1B sponsor for Test Lead in Chicago, IL, with 26 certified filings (42% of local Test Lead H-1B filings) at a median salary of $82,368. Among the top sponsors, HEXAWARE TECHNOLOGIES pays the highest median at $98,842. The pay spread across top employers is 28%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 28% ($77,438 at ATOS SYNTEL to $98,842 at HEXAWARE TECHNOLOGIES)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| SLK AMERICA | 26 | $82,368 |
| SLK AMERICA | 22 | $95,555 |
| ATOS SYNTEL | 5 | $77,438 |
| VIRTUAL NETWORX | 2 | $94,100 |
| HEXAWARE TECHNOLOGIES | 2 | $98,842 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Test 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 Test Lead pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Test Lead H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Test Lead is an active H-1B role. Collierville, TN has the most filings (77) outside Chicago, IL. The highest median among these is Dallas, TX at $88,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Collierville, TN | 77 | $71,227 |
| Dallas, TX | 61 | $88,000 |
| Irving, TX | 56 | $86,923 |
| Plano, TX | 52 | $86,923 |
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-Test Lead 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 Test Lead in Chicago, IL is $82,368, based on 62 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 5% lower than the national Test Lead H-1B median of $87,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 19% lower than the overall H-1B median of $102,294 in Chicago, IL across all job titles.
Salaries span a $31,163 range from the 10th percentile ($75,837) to the 90th percentile ($107,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $77,438 and $95,555, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
SLK AMERICA is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Chicago, IL, with 26 certified filings at a median salary of $82,368. Among the top employers, HEXAWARE TECHNOLOGIES pays the highest median at $98,842. The pay spread across top employers is 28%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Test Lead H-1B roles in Chicago, IL, answered directly from 62 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 Test Lead salary in Chicago, IL?
The median H-1B salary for Test Lead positions in Chicago, IL is $82,368, based on 62 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $75,837
- 25th percentile
- $77,438
- Median
- $82,368
- 75th percentile
- $95,555
- 90th percentile
- $107,000
The salary distribution for Test Lead roles in Chicago, IL shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $75,837, while the 90th percentile earns $107,000. This $31,163 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Test Lead salaries in Chicago, IL are 37% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Test Leads in Chicago, IL?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Test Lead positions in Chicago, IL are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Test Lead roles specifically in Chicago, IL. SLK AMERICA leads with 26 filings at a median salary of $82,368. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $77,438 to $98,842.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Test Lead in Chicago, IL?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Test 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, 62 H-1B positions for Test 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.