Expert Network Architect salary in Chicago, IL
Based on 24 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level IV 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 | $163,238 |
| 25th | $167,450 |
| 50th (median) | $177,698 |
| 75th | $190,247 |
| 90th | $209,400 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $135,491 | $135,491 | $145,384 | 15 |
| FY2021 | – | – | – | 8 |
| FY2022 | – | – | – | 8 |
| FY2023 | – | – | – | 6 |
| FY2024 | $157,798 | $153,098 | $161,033 | 10 |
| FY2025 | – | – | – | 9 |
| FY2026 | $177,395 | $169,498 | $190,494 | 15 |
Cost of living
Chicago's median expert Network Architect salary of $177,698 is worth about $171,500 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 $177,698, 24% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medline Industries | too few | 6 |
| Deloitte | too few | 2 |
| NVIDIA | too few | 2 |
| Versa Networks | 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.