Software Engineer Salary in Illinois
Based on 11K+ workers in Illinois
Median Annual Salary (IL)
$99,360
$47.769/hr
vs National Average
$106,671
-6.9% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$54K – $167K
11K employed in Illinois
The median software engineer salary in Illinois is $99,360 per year, with approximately 11,160 workers employed in the state. This figure falls about 7% below the national average, reflecting regional differences in compensation across the technology sector. Illinois remains a significant tech hub, particularly in the Chicago metropolitan area.
Software engineer salaries in Illinois vary considerably based on experience level, specific skill sets, and employer size. The salary range spans from $53,590 for entry-level positions to $167,080 for senior roles, demonstrating substantial earning potential as professionals advance. Urban centers like Chicago typically offer higher compensation packages compared to smaller cities, influenced by local demand for tech talent and cost of living considerations.
Salary Distribution — Software Engineer in Illinois
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $53,590 |
| 25th percentile | $65,040 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $99,360 |
| 75th percentile | $133,070 |
| 90th percentile | $167,080 |
Top H-1B Employers for Software Engineer in Illinois
Companies that filed the most H-1B (LCA) applications for this role in Illinois — ranked by application count.
| # | Employer | Applications | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS US CORP | 46 | $104,728 |
| 2 | Capgemini America Inc | 20 | $104,728 |
| 3 | Medline Industries, LP. | 8 | $125,437 |
| 4 | GlobalLogic Inc. | 6 | $89,273 |
| 5 | Radixlink, Inc. | 6 | $98,052 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Historical Salary Trend — Software Engineer in Illinois vs National
| Year | Median Salary (United States) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $90,970 |
| 2023 | $110,160 |
| 2024 | $100,310 |
| 2025 | $99,360 |
| Year | Illinois Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $90,970 | $89,712 |
| 2023 | $110,160 | $97,924 |
| 2024 | $100,310 | $101,746 |
| 2025 | $99,360 | $106,671 |
Software Engineer Salary by Experience Level in Illinois
Software Engineer Salary in Other States
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do software engineers make in Illinois?
- The median salary for software engineers in Illinois is $99,360 per year, or $48 per hour. This is about 6.9% below the national average, with salaries ranging from $53,590 to $167,080 depending on experience and specialization.
What is the salary range for software engineers in Illinois?
- Software engineer salaries in Illinois span from $53,590 at the lower end to $167,080 at the higher end. The median falls at $99,360 annually, representing a typical mid-career software engineer in the state.
Is the software engineer salary in Illinois competitive compared to the national average?
- Illinois software engineer salaries are slightly below the national average at 6.9% lower. However, with a median of $99,360 per year and opportunities up to $167,080, the state still offers competitive compensation for skilled engineers.
How many software engineers are employed in Illinois?
- There are currently 11,160 software engineers employed in Illinois, representing a substantial tech workforce in the state with consistent demand for development talent.