# Software Engineer salary in Chicago

> The median posted pay for a Software Engineer in Chicago is $158,371 a year (USD); the middle half of listings sit between $114,000 and $200,000. 294 listings, last 365 days.

Data as of 2026-11-06 · https://alderhq.app/salaries/software-engineer/chicago

- Median posted pay: $158,371
- 25th to 75th: $114,000 to $200,000
- Listings with pay: 294

## By level

**Software Engineer posted annual pay in Chicago (USD)**

| Level | Listings | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unspecified | 141 | $105,000 | $152,500 | $200,000 |
| Intern | 22 | $63,775 | $80,600 | $161,250 |
| Junior | 17 | $70,000 | $84,000 | $140,000 |
| Mid-level | 10 | $96,363 | $110,080 | $136,250 |
| Senior | 65 | $156,600 | $184,500 | $216,104 |
| Manager | 4 | $151,000 | $155,621 | $176,081 |
| Staff | 29 | $160,000 | $196,860 | $237,000 |
| Director+ | 4 | $136,875 | $140,000 | $158,000 |

## Method

- Each figure is the midpoint of a pay range that an employer posted on a live Software Engineer listing in Chicago, annualised, over the last 365 days (294 listings).
- It is posted pay, not what people are paid. Many employers post a range, then hire anywhere inside it.
- Percentiles are shown only where at least 3 listings back them.
## More

- [Software Engineer salary by city](https://alderhq.app/salaries/software-engineer)
- [Software Engineer jobs](https://alderhq.app/jobs/software-engineer)
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- [Software Engineer salary in Atlanta](https://alderhq.app/salaries/software-engineer/atlanta)
- [Software Engineer salary in Austin](https://alderhq.app/salaries/software-engineer/austin)
- [Software Engineer salary in Bengaluru](https://alderhq.app/salaries/software-engineer/bengaluru)
- [Software Engineer salary in Berlin](https://alderhq.app/salaries/software-engineer/berlin)
- [Software Engineer salary in Boston](https://alderhq.app/salaries/software-engineer/boston)
- [Software Engineer salary in Dallas](https://alderhq.app/salaries/software-engineer/dallas)
- [Software Engineer salary in Denver](https://alderhq.app/salaries/software-engineer/denver)

## Questions

### What is the average Software Engineer salary in Chicago?

The median posted pay is $158,371 a year, based on 294 live listings with a stated range in the last 365 days. The middle half is $114,000 to $200,000.

### Is this what Software Engineers actually earn?

No. It is the pay employers posted on open listings, which is a range they intend to hire within, not reported earnings.

### How does Software Engineer pay change with level in Chicago?

Unspecified: median $152,500 (141 listings); Intern: median $80,600 (22 listings); Junior: median $84,000 (17 listings); Mid-level: median $110,080 (10 listings).

## Cite

Alder. "Software Engineer salary in Chicago". Data as of 2026-11-06. https://alderhq.app/salaries/software-engineer/chicago