Expert Project Manager salary in Chicago, IL
Based on 81 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level IV in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Riverwoods, Franklin Park, North Chicago, Schaumburg, Plainfield.
Also listed as: Project Management Specialist, Project Coordinator
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $133,182 |
| 25th | $133,182 |
| 50th (median) | $139,595 |
| 75th | $151,450 |
| 90th | $180,300 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | – | – | – | 3 |
| FY2021 | – | – | – | 1 |
| FY2022 | – | – | – | 1 |
| FY2023 | – | – | – | 6 |
| FY2024 | $142,000 | $123,000 | $154,306 | 15 |
| FY2025 | $140,000 | $133,182 | $147,500 | 31 |
| FY2026 | $139,000 | $133,182 | $155,750 | 50 |
Cost of living
Chicago's median expert Project Manager salary of $139,595 is worth about $134,800 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Chicago = 103.6).
Compared with all workers here
All Project Management Specialists in the Chicago, IL area earned a median of $105,320 in May 2025 (21,040 employed). The H-1B median here is $139,595, 33% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Capital One | $133,182 | 10 |
| Discover | too few | 5 |
| PayPal | too few | 5 |
| Discover Products | too few | 5 |
| Amazon | too few | 3 |
| AbbVie | too few | 2 |
| Adyen N.V. | too few | 2 |
| Fitch Group Services | 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 | $69,000 | 29 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $89,856 | 69 |
| Senior · Level III | $115,300 | 40 |
| Expert · Level IV | $139,595 | 81 |
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 | $63,898 | $69,000 | 29 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $89,856 | $89,856 | 69 |
| Senior · Level III | $111,530 | $115,300 | 40 |
| Expert · Level IV | $133,182 | $139,595 | 81 |
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.