Mid-level Software Developer (Non-R&D) 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 Batavia, Dekalb, Oakbrook Terrace.

Median salary$89,336

Middle 50%$88.8k–$104.8k

vs. all levels here+0%comparison median $89,336

Filings22FY2025–FY2026 · latest two fiscal years

Salary range

All levels here

$70k$80k$90k$100k$110k$120k$130k

Box: middle 50% of filings. Whiskers: 10th–90th percentile. 99% of filings are between $88,525 and $136,527.

Percentile	Salary
10th	$88,552
25th	$88,800
50th (median)	$89,336
75th	$104,758
90th	$117,333

Salary by year

Median salary

Filings per year

Shaded: FY2025–FY2026, the years behind the figures above. Median shown for years with at least 10 filings. FY2026 covers Q1–Q3 only.

Show as table

Fiscal year	Median	P25	P75	Filings
FY2020	–	–	–	7
FY2021	–	–	–	7
FY2022	$91,834	$75,837	$93,267	12
FY2023	–	–	–	8
FY2024	$84,906	$84,906	$84,906	10
FY2025	$89,336	$89,336	$107,257	16
FY2026	–	–	–	6

Cost of living

Chicago's median mid-level Software Developer (Non-R&D) salary of $89,336 is worth about $86,200 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	$89,336	14
The University of Chicago	too few	4
DePaul University	too few	3

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.