Software Engineer Salary in Chicago, IL
Based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Salary Range in Chicago
Software Engineer Salary in Other Cities
How Much Does a Software Engineer Make in Chicago, IL?
The median Software Engineer salary in Chicago, IL is $132,400 per year as of 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is 3% lower than the national median of $136,620.
Salaries in Chicago range from $76,000 at the 10th percentile to $206,000 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% of Software Engineers in Chicago earn between $99,600 and $165,200 per year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Occupation: Software Engineer (SOC 15-1252).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Software Engineer make in Chicago, IL?
The median Software Engineer salary in Chicago, IL is $132,400 per year as of 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What is the salary range for a Software Engineer in Chicago?
Software Engineer salaries in Chicago range from $76,000 at the 10th percentile to $206,000 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $99,600 and $165,200 per year.
Is Chicago a good place to work as a Software Engineer?
Chicago Software Engineer salaries are 3% lower than the national median. Chicago is roughly in line with the national average for Software Engineers.
Where does the salary data come from?
All data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey — the most comprehensive salary database in the United States, covering approximately 830 occupations across 600+ metropolitan areas.