Expert Validation Engineer salary in Chicago, IL
Based on 18 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level IV in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Schaumburg, Wood Dale, Vernon Hills, Buffalo Grove, Woodridge.
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $134,557 |
| 25th | $137,064 |
| 50th (median) | $143,384 |
| 75th | $157,107 |
| 90th | $167,032 |
Cost of living
Chicago's median expert Validation Engineer salary of $143,384 is worth about $138,400 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Chicago = 103.6).
Compared with all workers here
All Validation Engineers in the Chicago, IL area earned a median of $121,910 in May 2025 (1,570 employed). The H-1B median here is $143,384, 18% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Formic Technologies | too few | 2 |
| Intellihot | too few | 2 |
| Tetra Pak | 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 | $80,000 | 53 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $95,410 | 35 |
| Senior · Level III | $120,750 | 11 |
| Expert · Level IV | $143,384 | 18 |
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 | $71,968 | $80,000 | 53 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $92,643 | $95,410 | 35 |
| Senior · Level III | $115,981 | $120,750 | 11 |
| Expert · Level IV | $133,973 | $143,384 | 18 |
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.