Expert Engineering Director salary in Chicago, IL
Based on 21 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level IV in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Waukegan, Oak Brook, Warrenville, Schaumburg, Oakbrook Terrace.
Also listed as: Architectural and Engineering Manager, Manager Hardware Engineering
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $183,331 |
| 25th | $184,000 |
| 50th (median) | $188,000 |
| 75th | $204,761 |
| 90th | $296,258 |
Cost of living
Chicago's median expert Engineering Director salary of $188,000 is worth about $181,500 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Chicago = 103.6).
Compared with all workers here
All Architectural and Engineering Managers in the Chicago, IL area earned a median of $163,430 in May 2025 (6,670 employed). The H-1B median here is $188,000, 15% higher.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Siemens | too few | 3 |
| Motorola Solutions | 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 | $130,849 | 18 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $141,612 | 22 |
| Senior · Level III | $168,405 | 25 |
| Expert · Level IV | $188,000 | 21 |
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 | $116,126 | $130,849 | 18 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $138,528 | $141,612 | 22 |
| Senior · Level III | $160,930 | $168,405 | 25 |
| Expert · Level IV | $183,331 | $188,000 | 21 |
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.