Competitive Base Salary Jobs in Chicago, IL

Entry‑level (0‑2 years): $80k–$120k. Mid‑level (3‑5 years): $120k–$180k. Senior (6‑10 years): $180k–$250k. Lead/Architect (10+ years): $250k–$350k. These ranges vary by region and tech stack, but they reflect the market for high‑impact roles in cloud, AI, and security.

Core technical skills: Python, Java, JavaScript, TypeScript, Go, SQL, Docker, Kubernetes. Cloud expertise: AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate/Professional, Google Professional Cloud Architect, Azure Solutions Architect Expert. IaC: Terraform, Pulumi. Security: CISSP, CEH, OSCP. Soft skills: systems design, cross‑functional communication, agile leadership.

Yes, roughly 70% of listings support fully remote or hybrid models. Companies such as Atlassian, GitHub, and others offer global remote teams. Candidates should verify time‑zone alignment and occasional in‑office requirements during the interview.

Typical progression: Junior Engineer → Senior Engineer → Staff Engineer → Principal Engineer → Distinguished Engineer or VP of Engineering. For data roles: Data Analyst → Data Scientist → Lead Data Scientist → Chief Data Officer. Progression is earned through ownership of high‑impact projects, publishing patents, or leading cross‑team initiatives.

AI/ML model deployment, edge computing, zero‑trust security, serverless architectures, and cloud‑native observability are the top trends. Companies investing in these areas pay premium salaries to secure talent capable of designing, scaling, and securing next‑generation systems.