Northwestern University
H-1B salaries and sponsorship, from 410 certified filings (FY2025–FY2026)
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
- Headquarters: Evanston
- Founded 1851
- 10,438 employees (2020)
At a glance
- Northwestern University hires entry-level. 81% of its filings are Level I, 4.1 times the share across all H-1B employers (19%).
- Most filed: Medical Scientist. 27% of its filings. After that come Molecular and Cellular Biologist and Biochemist.
- Mostly above the prevailing wage. 90% of filings are above the prevailing wage. Median offer $71,874, median prevailing wage $58,510.
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Percentiles from Northwestern University's certified H-1B filings, base salary only. Jobs with at least 10 filings.
What Northwestern University hires for
Bar: share of Northwestern University's filings. Figure: median base salary. Top 10 jobs account for 71% of filings (56 occupations in total).
Show all 8 jobs
| Job | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientist | $68,964 | 110 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologist | $72,000 | 43 |
| Biochemist | $72,000 | 37 |
| Chemist | $65,520 | 24 |
| Materials Scientist | $65,582 | 18 |
| Data Scientist | $87,522 | 17 |
| Statistician | $80,000 | 13 |
| Biological Technician | $48,256 | 11 |
Jobs with at least 10 filings at Northwestern University.
Pay by level
Entry-level · 81% of filings
Mid-level · 7% of filings
Senior · 10% of filings
Expert · 2% of filings
Level medians mix different jobs, so a higher level can show a lower median. Within one job, pay rises with level.
Show the table
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $70,000 | 331 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $91,350 | 30 |
| Senior · Level III | $80,000 | 42 |
| Expert · Level IV | too few | 7 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Where Northwestern University files
Median base salary in each metro area. Rent: HUD Fair Market Rent, FY2027.
Show all 1 metro areas
| Metro area | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | $72,000 | 407 |
Salary details
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $61,008 |
| 25th | $64,938 |
| 50th (median) | $71,874 |
| 75th | $89,715 |
| 90th | $120,200 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $60,094 | $53,000 | $74,866 | 168 |
| FY2021 | $64,500 | $56,048 | $80,000 | 187 |
| FY2022 | $65,916 | $56,950 | $80,000 | 244 |
| FY2023 | $65,539 | $59,883 | $80,801 | 212 |
| FY2024 | $70,000 | $62,546 | $90,827 | 247 |
| FY2025 | $72,760 | $64,356 | $90,115 | 235 |
| FY2026 | $71,365 | $65,520 | $86,224 | 175 |
Pay vs. prevailing wage
Filing at exactly the prevailing wage does not mean low pay: at senior levels and in high-cost areas the prevailing wage itself is high.
Job titles at Northwestern University
| Job title | Median | Middle 50% | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postdoctoral Scholar | $64,356 | $61.4k–$67.9k | 116 |
| Research Associate | $70,004 | $66.5k–$74.2k | 82 |
| Research Assistant Professor | $84,737 | $79.3k–$97.4k | 46 |
| Assistant Professor | $140,000 | $118.5k–$222.8k | 31 |
| Assistant Professor of Instruction | $82,500 | $69.5k–$91.8k | 18 |
Job titles as written on the filings, with at least 10 filings. Middle 50%: 25th–75th percentile.
About Northwestern University
Northwestern University's filings list its industry as Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (Educational Services sector, NAICS 6113). Its main U.S. filing address is in Evanston, IL and its filings in the data run from FY2020 to FY2026 Q3. In the latest two fiscal years, the most filed jobs are Medical Scientist, Molecular and Cellular Biologist and Biochemist and the main metro areas are Chicago, IL, Atlanta, GA and New York, NY. The most common wage level in those years is Level I (entry-level).
- Founded
- 1851
- Headquarters
- Evanston
- Employees
- 10,438 (2020)
Company facts on this page: Wikidata. Salary data: U.S. Department of Labor.
Questions
Does Northwestern University sponsor H-1B visas?
Yes. Northwestern University filed 410 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications in FY2025–FY2026, the latest two fiscal years. The most recent filing in the data is from FY2026 Q3. A certified LCA is a step before the H-1B petition; it is not a visa approval.
How much does Northwestern University pay H-1B workers?
The median base salary on Northwestern University's H-1B filings is $71,874; half of filings fall between $64,938 and $89,715. Bonus and stock are not included.