Illinois (IL) H-1B Visa & Salary Data
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An automated macro-level review of Illinois's tech ecosystem.Illinois Hiring Grade
The Illinois job market is highly active, generating 3,415 federal labor applications. This solid employment data grants this area an H1B Index Score of B.
Expanding Teams
Organizations operating in Illinois are growing consistently. Exactly 78.4% of their applications were for first-time hires, showing an ongoing need for new talent.
Living Costs
It is important to look past the raw $112,079 salary figure. Because Illinois collects a 4.9% state tax, actual localized purchasing power settles near $105,741.
High Approval Chances
Employers in Illinois enjoy a strong 97.4% visa approval rate. On top of that, businesses here applied for 937 Green Cards to keep their international staff long-term.
Advanced Talent Hub
Illinois functions as a top destination for senior professionals. Data shows 42.1% of all approved visas dedicate specifically to experienced roles rather than entry-level positions.
Local Economy Focus
Chicago is the top location for international talent in Illinois. The data also shows that the Professional, Scientific, and Tech Services industry is the biggest job provider statewide.
State Taxation & Purchasing Power
Adjusting the median salary for local cost of living and state taxes.State Employment Meta
Top Metro Hubs in Illinois
The primary cities driving visa volume and tech salaries.Talent Sourcing Pipeline
Are companies hiring fresh talent or poaching from competitors?State Wage Premium
On average, employers in Illinois offer salaries that are $5,521 higher than the baseline prevailing wage required by the Department of Labor.
Volume by Metro Area
Total applications filed across the top 15 cities.Dominant Industries
Distribution of cases by broad industry sector.O*NET Wage Level Distribution
Experience requirements matched against pay tiers across the state.| O*NET Wage Level | LCA Volume | Median Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 647 | $71,968 |
| Level II (Qualified) | 1,111 | $105,706 |
| Level III (Experienced) | 725 | $130,707 |
| Level IV (Fully Competent) | 713 | $156,998 |
Third-Party End Clients
Where consultants are deployed.Top Job Titles
Most frequently sponsored positions.Top Law Firms
Leading legal counsel for state visas.Visa Volume & Success
LCA approvals, denials, and overall certification rates.Median Wage Trajectory
The median state salaries of all tech jobs over time.Green Card Sponsorships
PERM residency applications and median GC wages.Noticing a difference in dates? Salary metrics reflect real-time DOL filings, while approval metrics rely on finalized USCIS historical data. View timelines
Complete Employers Matrix
A detailed ledger of all corporate clients operating in Illinois.Complete Jobs Matrix
The job titles most frequently sponsored in this state.Complete Metros Matrix
Data ledger of all cities in Illinois.| City/Metro Area | LCA Count | Median Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 1,304 | $123,480 |
| Riverwoods | 128 | $110,651 |
| Naperville | 126 | $127,757 |
| Schaumburg | 101 | $108,077 |
| Bloomington | 85 | $105,706 |
| Lisle | 75 | $130,062 |
| Aurora | 75 | $121,389 |
| Buffalo Grove | 66 | $116,480 |
| Peoria | 54 | $98,805 |
| Normal | 53 | $111,226 |
| Northbrook | 48 | $135,126 |
| Evanston | 47 | $76,500 |
| Deerfield | 44 | $107,858 |
| Hoffman Estates | 38 | $127,000 |
| Chillicothe | 36 | $100,940 |
| Urbana | 36 | $72,010 |
| Bolingbrook | 31 | $139,006 |
| Waukegan | 30 | $108,077 |
| Elgin | 29 | $126,204 |
| Lemont | 29 | $90,043 |
| Mundelein | 29 | $132,434 |
| North Chicago | 27 | $142,500 |
| Oak Brook | 27 | $129,935 |
| Batavia | 24 | $77,126 |
| Rosemont | 21 | $125,958 |
| Downers Grove | 21 | $125,000 |
| Champaign | 21 | $83,500 |
| Plainfield | 20 | $118,820 |
| Mettawa | 20 | $153,543 |
| Arlington Heights | 19 | $92,468 |
| Moline | 19 | $123,600 |
| Chicago, | 19 | $71,968 |
| Lombard | 18 | $115,000 |
| Lake Forest | 18 | $152,735 |
| Wheeling | 18 | $107,858 |
| Vernon Hills | 17 | $119,739 |
| Oakbrook Terrace | 16 | $119,683 |
| Rockford | 15 | $110,000 |
| East Peoria | 15 | $92,789 |
| Oswego | 14 | $132,125 |
| Warrenville | 13 | $98,176 |
| Dekalb | 11 | $92,325 |
| Springfield | 11 | $109,200 |
| Decatur | 11 | $130,000 |
| Itasca | 11 | $132,434 |
| Palatine | 9 | $132,434 |
| Westchester | 9 | $108,077 |
| Libertyville | 9 | $107,220 |
| Skokie | 8 | $100,750 |
| South Elgin | 8 | $144,838 |
Historical Compensation Ledger
Year-over-year salary data comparing historical averages.| Fiscal Year | Maximum | Median | Average | Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $700,000 | $110,000 | $113,536 | $22 |
| 2025 | $800,000 | $106,558 | $109,123 | $16 |
| 2024 | $800,000 | $102,690 | $106,896 | $16 |
| 2023 | $675,000 | $95,472 | $104,357 | $14 |
| 2022 | $725,000 | $93,600 | $100,583 | $15 |
| 2021 | $764,528 | $90,000 | $95,402 | $15 |
| 2020 | $680,000 | $85,000 | $91,393 | $9 |
| 2019 | $470,000 | $83,400 | $86,542 | $15 |
| 2018 | $710,000 | $82,500 | $84,118 | $8 |
| 2017 | $800,000 | $74,173 | $79,370 | $10 |
| 2016 | $730,000 | $70,765 | $76,300 | $8 |
Recent Visa Filings (FY 2026)
Raw, unedited federal disclosures processed in this state.State Intelligence (FAQ)
Common questions and insights regarding Illinois.What is the biggest hiring sector in Illinois?
In this state, 48.4% of all active H-1B visas are driven directly by the Professional, Scientific, and Tech Services sector.
What are the Green Card chances for H-1B workers in Illinois?
Local companies sponsored 937 workers for Green Cards recently. This represents a solid 27.4% long-term commitment rate.
How much state tax will I pay on an H-1B salary in Illinois?
Based on local tax brackets (4.9%), an employee earning the $112,079 median will see around $5,492 withheld for state-level taxes.
Which city in Illinois pays the highest H-1B salaries?
For candidates looking to maximize compensation, Chicago leads the state with a median salary of $123,480.