Entry-level Software Developer (Non-R&D) salary in Chicago, IL
Based on 16 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Batavia, Dekalb, Oakbrook Terrace.
Median salary$79,300
Middle 50%$75.4k–$79.3k
vs. all levels here−11%comparison median $89,336
Filings16FY2025–FY2026 · latest two fiscal years
Salary range
All levels here
$60k$70k$80k$90k$100k$110k
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $74,755 |
| 25th | $75,358 |
| 50th (median) | $79,300 |
| 75th | $79,310 |
| 90th | $91,889 |
Cost of living
Chicago's median entry-level Software Developer (Non-R&D) salary of $79,300 is worth about $76,500 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Chicago = 103.6).
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Fermi Forward Discovery Group | $77,550 | 12 |
| Northern Illinois University | 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 | $79,300 | 16 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $89,336 | 22 |
| Senior · Level III | – | 0 |
| Expert · Level IV | too few | 4 |
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 | $74,152 | $79,300 | 16 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $88,525 | $89,336 | 22 |
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.