Network Architect salary in Chicago, IL
Based on 118 certified H-1B filings in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Northbrook, Warrenville, Naperville, Buffalo Grove, Hoffman Estates.
Also listed as: Network Engineer, Network Development Engineer
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $116,288 |
| 25th | $118,605 |
| 50th (median) | $125,091 |
| 75th | $158,650 |
| 90th | $180,000 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $95,035 | $95,035 | $120,375 | 70 |
| FY2021 | $113,750 | $102,500 | $130,975 | 55 |
| FY2022 | $111,500 | $109,508 | $130,000 | 72 |
| FY2023 | $110,344 | $106,974 | $127,754 | 61 |
| FY2024 | $123,601 | $109,096 | $140,500 | 57 |
| FY2025 | $121,000 | $118,435 | $147,160 | 65 |
| FY2026 | $131,645 | $120,702 | $167,600 | 53 |
Cost of living
Chicago's median Network Architect salary of $125,091 is worth about $120,800 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Chicago = 103.6).
Compared with all workers here
All Computer Network Architects in the Chicago, IL area earned a median of $143,800 in May 2025 (5,400 employed). The H-1B median here is $125,091, 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.
Top employers filing
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Medline Industries | $174,396 | 12 |
| Abbott Laboratories | too few | 4 |
| Vsquare It | too few | 4 |
| Deloitte | too few | 3 |
| Only It Consulting | too few | 3 |
| Tate & Lyle Solutions | too few | 3 |
| CIBC Bank | too few | 2 |
| cloudEQ | too few | 2 |
| Compunnel Software Group | too few | 2 |
| Conglomerateit | 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 | $99,712 | 12 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $120,702 | 45 |
| Senior · Level III | $146,578 | 24 |
| Expert · Level IV | $177,698 | 24 |
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 | $97,074 | $99,712 | 12 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $118,435 | $120,702 | 45 |
| Senior · Level III | $139,818 | $146,578 | 24 |
| Expert · Level IV | $163,238 | $177,698 | 24 |
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.