Software Engineer Salary in Illinois
Based on 11K+ workers in Illinois
Median Annual Salary (IL)
$99,360
$47.77/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.
Software Engineer H-1B Salary by Wage Level in Illinois
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in Illinois.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | Entry-level | $71,427 | 26 |
| Level II | Qualified | $88,088 | 120 |
| Level III | Experienced | $104,728 | 112 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $124,148 | 60 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026. Based on certified filings with a disclosed wage level.
Top-Paying Industries for Software Engineer (U.S.)
Which industries pay Software Engineers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Software Engineers in Illinois tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Insurance | $131,760 | 27K |
| Information | $131,720 | 48K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $128,070 | 25K |
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $124,530 | 98K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $121,310 | 124K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Software Engineer in Illinois vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Illinois) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $90,970 |
| 2023 | $110,160 |
| 2024 | $100,310 |
| 2025 | $99,360 |
| 2026 (projected) | $99,360 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| 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 |
| 2026 (projected) | $99,360 | $106,671 |
Software Engineer Salary by Experience Level in Illinois
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $65,040 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $99,360 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $133,070 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $167,080 |
Software Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Software Engineer Salaries in Illinois
How other high-demand occupations in Illinois compare to Software Engineer ($99,360 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Software Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in IL | $171,730 | +72.8% | $82.56/hr |
| Database Administrator in IL | $142,500 | +43.4% | $68.51/hr |
| Computer and Information Research Scientist in IL | $136,540 | +37.4% | $65.64/hr |
| Computer Hardware Engineer in IL | $133,220 | +34.1% | $64.05/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in IL | $132,790 | +33.6% | $63.84/hr |
| Software Developer in IL | $132,110 | +33.0% | $63.51/hr |
| Information Security Analyst in IL | $124,180 | +25.0% | $59.70/hr |
| Statistician in IL | $119,760 | +20.5% | $57.58/hr |
| Data Scientist in IL | $106,560 | +7.2% | $51.23/hr |
| Computer Systems Analyst in IL | $101,570 | +2.2% | $48.83/hr |
| Network Administrator in IL | $100,080 | +0.7% | $48.12/hr |
| Operations Research Analyst in IL | $89,800 | -9.6% | $43.17/hr |
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.