Software Developers Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $130,030 -2.3% vs national
Median hourly $62.51
10th percentile $78,300
90th percentile $173,770
Employed locally 41,320
National median $133,080

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Software Developers
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Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $78,300
    25th
    $102,040
    50th (median)
    $130,030
    75th
    $161,810
    90th
    $173,770

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Software Developers salary vs area income 146% Median Software Developers salary is 46% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Software Developers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $208,270
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $174,910
    California $170,910
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $169,340
    Washington $166,910
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $163,020

    Nearby metros — Software Developers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $149,010
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $141,030
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $139,650
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $139,060
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $138,740
    Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $131,980

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Computer User Support Specialists $59,570
    Computer Systems Analysts $99,510
    Computer Occupations, All Other $102,080
    Network and Computer Systems Administrators $98,790
    Data Scientists $112,640
    Computer Network Support Specialists $69,200

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Software Developers make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Software Developers in Chicago, IL-IN is $62.51, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $97.79 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Software Developers salaries?

    The median Software Developers salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 2.3% below the national median of $133,080. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Software Developers in Chicago?

    Entry-level Software Developers (10th percentile) earn around $78,300 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $102,040.