Mid-level Engineering Director salary in Chicago, IL
Based on 22 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level II 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 | $138,528 |
| 25th | $139,318 |
| 50th (median) | $141,612 |
| 75th | $163,543 |
| 90th | $179,000 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | – | – | – | 8 |
| FY2021 | $130,000 | $119,889 | $130,999 | 15 |
| FY2022 | $128,336 | $128,336 | $136,000 | 13 |
| FY2023 | – | – | – | 8 |
| FY2024 | $140,000 | $139,110 | $152,130 | 14 |
| FY2025 | $140,000 | $139,318 | $157,568 | 14 |
| FY2026 | – | – | – | 8 |
Cost of living
Chicago's median mid-level Engineering Director salary of $141,612 is worth about $136,700 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 $141,612, 13% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Tool Works | too few | 2 |
| Tate & Lyle 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.