Computer Hardware Engineer salary in Chicago, IL
Based on 22 certified H-1B filings in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Lisle, Naperville, North Chicago, Round Lake, St. Charles.
Also listed as: Hardware Development Engineer
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $90,116 |
| 25th | $114,863 |
| 50th (median) | $147,100 |
| 75th | $196,250 |
| 90th | $200,000 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $122,000 | $93,000 | $149,000 | 13 |
| FY2021 | – | – | – | 9 |
| FY2022 | $129,000 | $105,794 | $146,000 | 11 |
| FY2023 | – | – | – | 8 |
| FY2024 | – | – | – | 7 |
| FY2025 | $144,552 | $124,370 | $155,466 | 10 |
| FY2026 | $164,600 | $112,117 | $200,000 | 12 |
Cost of living
Chicago's median Computer Hardware Engineer salary of $147,100 is worth about $142,000 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Chicago = 103.6).
Compared with all workers here
All Computer Hardware Engineers in the Chicago, IL area earned a median of $133,860 in May 2025 (1,080 employed). The H-1B median here is $147,100, 10% higher.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Top employers filing
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Polar Operations LLC d/b/a IMC Markets | too few | 4 |
| too few | 2 | |
| HCLTech | too few | 2 |
| Akuna Capital | too few | 2 |
| Polar Operations | 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 | – | 0 |
| Mid-level · Level II | – | 0 |
| Senior · Level III | too few | 3 |
| Expert · Level IV | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.