Entry-level Chemical Engineer salary in Chicago, IL
Based on 15 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Des Plaines, North Chicago, Lemont, Glendale Heights, Elk Grove Village.
Also listed as: Process Engineer
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $63,657 |
| 25th | $69,379 |
| 50th (median) | $78,832 |
| 75th | $80,000 |
| 90th | $86,807 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $58,000 | $53,425 | $59,500 | 11 |
| FY2021 | – | – | – | 6 |
| FY2022 | $72,384 | $62,160 | $77,250 | 12 |
| FY2023 | $57,990 | $56,625 | $59,210 | 10 |
| FY2024 | $68,371 | $68,371 | $77,688 | 15 |
| FY2025 | $78,832 | $70,758 | $80,000 | 12 |
| FY2026 | – | – | – | 3 |
Cost of living
Chicago's median entry-level Chemical Engineer salary of $78,832 is worth about $76,100 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Chicago = 103.6).
Compared with all workers here
All Chemical Engineers in the Chicago, IL area earned a median of $110,760 in May 2025 (370 employed). The H-1B median here is $78,832, 29% lower.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| The University of Chicago | too few | 3 |
| Techevon | too few | 2 |
| UChicago Argonne | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $78,832 | 15 |
| Mid-level · Level II | too few | 3 |
| Senior · Level III | $130,390 | 22 |
| Expert · Level IV | $143,924 | 10 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $78,832 | $78,832 | 15 |
| Senior · Level III | $111,696 | $130,390 | 22 |
| Expert · Level IV | $140,837 | $143,924 | 10 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.