Software Engineer H-1B Wage Levels in Chicago, IL (2026)
Most certified H-1B Software Engineer petitions in Chicago, IL are filed at Level II (Qualified) (44.2% of 10,913 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), the level your employer files at 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) | 10.2% | $85K | $81K–$93K | 1× |
| Level II (Qualified) | 44.2% | $107K | $94K–$120K | 2× |
| Level III (Experienced) | 24.7% | $130K | $117K–$147K | 3× |
| Level IV (Expert) | 21% | $150K | $140K–$170K | 4× |
Distribution across 10,913 certified Software Engineer LCA filings with a Chicago, IL 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.
Chicago Employers Filing Software Engineers at Level III–IV
These employers most often file Software Engineer petitions in Chicago, IL 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 | 243 | $125K |
| JPMorgan Chase & Co. | Level IV | 211 | $157K |
| Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | Level III | 114 | $180K |
| Deloitte Consulting LLP | Level IV | 65 | $153K |
| Amazon Web Services, Inc. | Level III | 62 | $175K |
| Capital One Services, LLC | Level IV | 60 | $149K |
| Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. | Level III | 53 | $125K |
| The Northern Trust Company | Level IV | 52 | $149K |
Ranked by Level III–IV Software Engineer filing volume in Chicago, IL. Linked employers have a full per-company wage breakdown.
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
Find Software Engineer H-1B Jobs in Chicago
Browse active Software Engineer openings from verified H-1B sponsors in Chicago, IL that file at competitive wage levels.
Browse JobsH1B Visa Jobs Research Team
Wage-level distribution aggregated from DOL LCA disclosure files (FY2022–2026), filtered to certified petitions with wages between $30K and $1M. Based on 10,913 certified Software Engineer filings with a Chicago, IL 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.