2025 Chicago Tech Salary Guide

Find out the expected salaries for Chicago tech workers in 2025 with the Tech Salary Guide from Motion Recruitment. The guide includes salary data for over 100 tech positions, along with expert commentary on the changing Chicago tech scene and the latest industry developments.

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IT Salaries and Tech Market Insights for Chicago in 2025

Motion’s Chicago 2025 IT Salary Guide provides the information needed for your tech job search or hiring plans, as tech unemployment is below the national average, and companies in Chicago are looking to hire IT workers.

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Map Out Your 2025 Strategy for the Chicago Tech Hiring Market

with Expert Insights & Salary Data

While the tech industry in Chicago, along with the rest of the nation, has fluctuated wildly over the past five years, 2025 appears to be a year of stable growth in IT. Because of this, job seekers and hiring managers in the Windy City need information from the experts to make the right decisions in the market.

 

National job posting numbers are now regularly exceeding 500,000 job posts each month, the ongoing shortage of cybersecurity professionals reaching 4 million globally, and despite concerns about technology replacing jobs, the rise of AI is actually increasing the workforce. Motion's 2025 Chicago Tech Salary Guide covers these trends and more, plus starting salary information for top tech roles.

.2%

Chicago salaries essentially even with U.S. average

Chicago tech salaries are less than .2% away from the national average, making it the city most representative of the US tech market.

48%

AI leading to job growth, not layoffs

48% of organizations say that are adding personnel due to an increase in AI, as opposed to the 19% that are looking to downsize. Chicago tech workers should see how AI is impacting their roles.

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Emerging Tech in Chicago: AI and Beyond

While artificial intelligence continues to be a major topic of conversation in the Chicago tech world, there is also significant investment and job growth in technologies like quantum computing. With billions of dollars being invested in space, quantum computing companies are rapidly hiring. In 2024, the number of quantum computing firms with 100 or more employees grew by 300% year-over-year.

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Q: What Advice Would You Give Chicago Tech Job Seekers and Hiring Managers in 2025?

From Max Gerdes, Executive Director of the Chicago Office, Motion Recruitment:

"Acting quickly and decisively will be key for job seekers and hiring managers in Chicago. Too often we've seen missed opportunities due to delays in the hiring process, whether it's due to a lengthy interview process or a candidate thinking they can find something better. Don't let perfect get in the way of success in 2025."

What will I find in Motion's IT Salary Guide?

What Tech Job Data and Trends are Covered in the Guide?
  • The state of tech employment in 2025, with the impact of layoffs, economic conditions, IT job creation and the tech talent shortage.

  • How the tech industry has finally stabilized after five years of peaks and valleys.

  • Emerging technology: Cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and more: the tech skills and sectors businesses are hiring for in 2025.

  • Tech hiring and workplace trends, including tech workers heading back to the office, the move to skills-based hiring, and the golden generation in tech.

  • Advice from market experts on what you can do to succeed in 2025.
What valuable insights into IT salary data can I discover?

You will find starting salaries for mid and senior level ranges for over 100 specific job titles across technology areas. There are also city-specific variances included, which you can use to measure the regional salary ranges per tech job.

 

You will see IT salaries for top roles from the most in demand technology areas: Software, Data & AI, Security, Infrastructure & DevOps, Mobile, Functional, Product & UX and Executive.

Previous Salary Guides

Tech Hiring Market
Mid-Year Update 2024

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Tech Salary Guide
North America 2024

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Tech Salary Guide
North America 2023

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good IT Salary in Chicago?

Determining a good IT salary in Chicago can depend on various factors, including job role, level of experience, and specific skills. According to the salary data available, the compensation ranges for IT roles can vary significantly.  
 
In general, mid-level roles (2-5 years' experience) and senior-level roles (5+ years' experience) are outlined in terms of their average salary range. While exact figures from the document are not specified in the snippets provided, typically, IT salaries in a tech-centric city like Chicago can be competitive with other major tech hubs. 
 
For accurate and specific salary figures, particularly adjusted for different roles and experience levels, you may need to refer directly to the comprehensive data provided by Motion Recruitment in their tech salary guide.

 

What IT job has the highest salary in Chicago?
The IT job with the highest salary in Chicago is the role of a .Net Architect, with a salary range reaching up to $210,000. 
Have IT salaries increased in Chicago in 2024?
According to the data compiled by Motion Recruitment, tech salaries have seen a year-over-year increase in 2024. This growth is described as more cautious, marking a trend of gradual but continuous increase, aligning with a more mature and sustainable model of growth compared to the erratic swings seen in previous years. 
 
What impacted IT job growth in Chicago?
Chicago IT job growth in 2024 was influenced by several key factors: 

  1. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: AI and machine learning roles were among the highest priorities for many businesses looking to transform in the upcoming years. There was a significant focus on reskilling in AI and Big Data, driven by substantial investments and expected market revenue growth.

  2. Generative AI Technology: There's a marked growth in generative AI technologies, which impacted job growth through increased demand for tech professionals skilled in these areas. Companies were investing heavily in AI processors within data centers, leading to an estimated quadrupling of spending by 2025.

  3. Compensation and Talent Availability: High compensation for AI-focused roles was notable, with some roles offering significant salary boosts compared to non-AI roles. The availability of skilled candidates in AI, although challenging, improved year-over-year, which influenced job market dynamics. 

These trends highlight how technological advancements, particularly in AI and machine learning, significantly shaped the Chicago IT job market in 2024.