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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Lead in Illinois is $128,061 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $62.
However, a Software Lead's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Software Lead Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $138,731 | $11,561 | $2,668 | $67 |
| Average | $128,061 | $10,672 | $2,463 | $62 |
| 25th Percentile | $117,777 | $9,815 | $2,265 | $57 |
Eliassen Group - Chicago, IL
J.P. Morgan - Chicago, IL
Reply - Chicago, IL
Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement - Springfield, IL
A Software Lead's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Software Lead's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| IT Qualit... Level Software Lead | $89,131 |
| IT Qualit... Level Software Lead | $114,796 |
| IT Qualit... Level Software Lead | $137,233 |
| Software ... Level Software Lead | $127,277 |
| IT Qualit... Level Software Lead | $210,665 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Software Leads. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Software Lead roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Chemicals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Software Lead positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Lead as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy & Utilities | $153,673 | $74.0 | 20% |
| Chemicals | $140,867 | $68.0 | 10% |
| Financial Services | $140,867 | $68.0 | 10% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $140,867 | $68.0 | 10% |
| Telecom | $140,867 | $68.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Software Lead's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $138,731 | $11,561 | $2,668 | $67 |
| Average | $128,061 | $10,672 | $2,463 | $62 |
| 25th Percentile | $117,777 | $9,815 | $2,265 | $57 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Software Lead job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
J.P. Morgan
Chicago, IL
J.P. Morgan | Chicago, IL
hackajob is collaborating with J.P. Morgan to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role. JOB DESCRIPTION Be an integral part of an agile te... more
5 Days Ago
J.P. Morgan
Chicago, IL
J.P. Morgan | Chicago, IL
hackajob is collaborating with J.P. Morgan to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role. JOB DESCRIPTION We have an opportunity to impact y... more
5 Days Ago
J.P. Morgan
Chicago, IL
J.P. Morgan | Chicago, IL
hackajob is collaborating with J.P. Morgan to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role. JOB DESCRIPTION We have an opportunity to impact y... more
6 Days Ago
Goldstone Partners, Inc.
Oak Brook, IL
Goldstone Partners, Inc. | Oak Brook, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Company Description. At Streamline Healthcare Solutions, we strive to build lasting and trusting relationships with our c... more
8 Days Ago
New Relic
Chicago, IL
New Relic | Chicago, IL
New Relic is seeking an experienced technology leader to guide and grow our global engineering team, driving the next generation of Application Performance... more
9 Days Ago
J.P. Morgan
Chicago, IL
J.P. Morgan | Chicago, IL
hackajob is collaborating with J.P. Morgan to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role. JOB DESCRIPTION We have an opportunity to impact y... more
14 Days Ago
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