Illinois H-1B Wage Level Breakdown 2026
Most certified H-1B petitions in Illinois are filed at Level II (Qualified)(45% of 94,393 filings). Because the 2026 wage-weighted lottery gives higher DOL prevailing wage levels more entries in the selection pool (Level IV = 4, III = 3, II = 2, I = 1), where your employer files directly shapes your selection odds.
Wage Level Distribution & 2026 Lottery Entry Weight
| DOL Wage Level | Share of Filings | Median Wage | 25th–75th | 2026 Lottery Entries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 16.7% | $74K | $65K–$85K | 1× |
| Level II (Qualified) | 45% | $94K | $83K–$108K | 2× |
| Level III (Experienced) | 21.4% | $120K | $104K–$141K | 3× |
| Level IV (Expert) | 16.9% | $145K | $127K–$172K | 4× |
Distribution across 94,393 certified LCA filings with a Illinois worksite (DOL FY2022–2026). Entry-weight column reflects the DHS wage-weighted selection rule effective February 27, 2026 (Level IV = 4 entries, III = 3, II = 2, I = 1 in the registration pool). USCIS has not published official aggregate selection-rate percentages by wage level, so none are stated here.
Illinois Employers Filing at Level III–IV
These Illinois employers most often file petitions at the higher prevailing wage levels — the tiers with the strongest selection odds under the 2026 wage-weighted lottery.
| Employer | Level | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capgemini America, Inc. | Level III | 1,047 | $114K |
| DFS Corporate Services LLC | Level IV | 643 | $138K |
| Cognizant Technology Solutions US Corp | Level IV | 565 | $118K |
| Rivian Automotive, LLC | Level III | 424 | $127K |
| Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | Level IV | 409 | $250K |
| Medline Industries, Inc. | Level III | 380 | $134K |
| Infosys Limited | Level III | 377 | $95K |
| JPMorgan Chase & Co. | Level IV | 288 | $155K |
Ranked by Level III–IV filing volume in Illinois. Linked employers have a full sponsorship profile.
What DOL Wage Levels Mean
Every H-1B Labor Condition Application is filed at one of four DOL prevailing wage levels, set by the role's required experience and the OES survey for the occupation and location:
- Level I (Entry): roughly the 17th percentile wage — new graduates and early-career hires.
- Level II (Qualified): ~34th percentile — some experience, the most common H-1B level.
- Level III (Experienced): ~50th percentile — independent, senior-leaning roles.
- Level IV (Expert): ~67th percentile and up — lead, principal, and managerial roles.
Related H-1B Data
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Wage-level distribution aggregated from DOL LCA disclosure files (FY2022–2026), filtered to certified petitions with wages between $30K and $1M. Based on 94,393 certified filings with a Illinois worksite and a reported DOL prevailing wage level. Lottery entry-weight figures reflect the DHS wage-weighted selection rule effective February 27, 2026; USCIS has not published official aggregate selection-rate percentages by wage level.