Mid-level Data Engineer salary in Chicago, IL
Based on 109 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level II in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Schaumburg, Mettawa, Riverwoods, Oak Brook, Naperville.
Also listed as: Database Architect, Data Architect
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $96,741 |
| 25th | $97,760 |
| 50th (median) | $114,000 |
| 75th | $130,000 |
| 90th | $166,000 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $77,438 | $77,438 | $77,500 | 51 |
| FY2021 | $80,000 | $75,754 | $99,713 | 35 |
| FY2022 | $88,150 | $76,045 | $120,632 | 75 |
| FY2023 | $89,000 | $88,150 | $109,200 | 77 |
| FY2024 | $109,245 | $109,242 | $114,746 | 55 |
| FY2025 | $109,242 | $96,741 | $134,802 | 75 |
| FY2026 | $117,345 | $113,235 | $127,150 | 34 |
Cost of living
Chicago's median mid-level Data Engineer salary of $114,000 is worth about $110,000 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Chicago = 103.6).
Compared with all workers here
All Database Architects in the Chicago, IL area earned a median of $147,490 in May 2025 (1,260 employed). The H-1B median here is $114,000, 23% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| AbbVie | too few | 6 |
| Discover | too few | 6 |
| Compunnel Software Group | too few | 4 |
| Deloitte | too few | 3 |
| Allianz Global Risks US Insurance Company (AGR US) | too few | 3 |
| KB Machines US Holdings | too few | 3 |
| Advanced Analytics LLC D/B/A HEXstream | too few | 2 |
| Axiom Group | too few | 2 |
| Modak Analytics | too few | 2 |
| Pulse Network | 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 | $90,000 | 31 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $114,000 | 109 |
| Senior · Level III | $140,000 | 110 |
| Expert · Level IV | $162,344 | 123 |
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 | $71,386 | $90,000 | 31 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $96,741 | $114,000 | 109 |
| Senior · Level III | $136,885 | $140,000 | 110 |
| Expert · Level IV | $160,555 | $162,344 | 123 |
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.