Technology Chicago, IL Pop. 2,693,976

Software Engineer Salary in Chicago, Illinois

The median software engineer salary in Chicago, IL is $139,104 per year, which is 12.0% above the national median and 12.0% above the Illinois state average.

City Median
$139,104
vs State Avg
+$14,904
vs National
+$14,904
Cost of Living
107%

Software Engineer Salary in Chicago by Experience

In Chicago, an entry-level software engineer earns around $87,360, while experienced professionals earn up to $207,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 107% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$87,360
+$9,360 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$140,000
+$15,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$207,200
+$22,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Chicago, IL

Percentile Chicago
10th Percentile $83,552
25th Percentile $109,984
Median (50th) $139,104
75th Percentile $177,184
90th Percentile $222,410

Software Engineer Salary in Other Illinois Cities

Naperville, IL
$140,346
Pop. 149,540
Aurora, IL
$124,200
Pop. 197,757
Springfield, IL
$111,780
Pop. 114,394
Rockford, IL
$108,054
Pop. 148,655

How to Become a Software Engineer in Chicago

Education

Most software engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Chicago and the surrounding Illinois area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PythonJavaScriptSQLGitCloud PlatformsSystem Design

Job Outlook

Nationally, software engineer employment is projected to grow 25% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Chicago may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Software Engineer Jobs in Chicago

Browse open software engineer positions in Chicago, IL:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in Chicago

How much does a Software Engineer make in Chicago, IL? ▼
The median software engineer salary in Chicago, Illinois is $139,104 per year, which is 12.0% above the national median of $124,200. Salaries range from $83,552 (10th percentile) to $222,410 (90th percentile).
How much does a Software Engineer make per hour in Chicago? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $139,104, a software engineer in Chicago earns approximately $67 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Chicago compare to the Illinois state average for software engineer pay? ▼
Chicago's median software engineer salary of $139,104 is 12.0% above the Illinois state average of $124,200. The local cost of living index is 107% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Chicago, IL? ▼
Chicago has a cost of living index of 107% compared to the national average. This means a software engineer salary of $139,104 in Chicago has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in Chicago? ▼
Most software engineer positions in Chicago require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, JavaScript, SQL, Git. The job market is projected to grow 25% nationally over the next decade.