Chicago, IL truly has it all—from its vibrant cultural scene and diverse population to its world-renowned museums, theaters, and universities, there's always something new to explore and discover. And if you're considering a career change to software development, Chicago is the perfect place to be. With a thriving tech scene and plenty of job opportunities at companies like Microsoft, Groupon, and Grubhub, there's no shortage of options for those with coding skills.

As the demand for software developers grows, many companies are willing to pay top dollar for talented individuals. Junior software engineers in Chicago can expect to earn an impressive median salary of $152,600 per year, with more experienced developers earning up to $197,250.

And here's the best part—you don't need a degree in software development to break into the field! With a coding bootcamp, you can gain the skills you need to become a software developer in just a matter of months. It's an affordable and accessible option that opens up a world of opportunity in Chicago's tech industry.

So why wait? Take the first step toward a rewarding career in software development by finding a software bootcamp in Chicago today.

To help you get started on your journey, we've done the research and put together a list of the 20 highest-paying employers in the area for 2023.

The Top-Paying Companies for Software Engineer Jobs in Chicago Are Amazon, Google, DocuSign, and Microsoft

Interested in a career in software engineering? You'll find plenty of opportunities in Chicago. A recent survey of over 1,000 engineers reveals that the highest-paying companies in the Windy City are Amazon, Google, DocuSign, and Microsoft. These companies pay their entry-level software engineers an average salary of $119,500 annually.

These top tech companies in Chicago offer high salaries because the demand for top-tier software engineers far exceeds the supply. With so much competition in the tech industry, it's crucial for these companies to have the best talent on their teams to stay ahead. They will pay top dollar to attract and retain skilled engineers.

Learning to code is necessary if you're interested in working for one of these big names. It's the key to unlocking a career in software engineering and reaching your full potential. If you're ready to take the plunge, check out Altcademy’s Full-Stack Web Development course today.

Here are the top 20 highest-paying companies for entry-level software developers and entry-level software engineers in Chicago, based on our salary data:

And, here are the top 20 best-paying companies for senior-level software developer roles in Chicago:

Do you want to know how the average salaries for software developers in Chicago compare to the rest of the USA? Explore our article on the Top 20 highest-paying employers of software engineers in 2023

Want to Advance Your Career in Tech? Learn to Code in Chicago!

As technology advances, coding has become a vital skill for tech professionals. Whichever field of software engineering you are interested in, having a good understanding of computer science can help you take your career to the next level. You can create custom software solutions like mobile applications, websites, and video games, and even work in artificial intelligence (AI).

In 2023, many high-paying tech jobs require coding skills, making it a must-have skill for anyone looking to advance their career in tech. You can work for top tech companies, freelance, or start a tech venture by learning to code. Software developers are in high demand, meaning they are unlikely to run out of work anytime soon.

Numerous resources are available for those looking to learn how to code, from online courses and bootcamps to traditional college degrees. With the right education and experience, you can become a highly skilled coder and advance your tech career.

Learn more about the Altcademy Full-Stack Web Development course

Differences between Salary and Total Compensation

The engineer's salary is considered total compensation in a traditional salary model. However, a software engineer's remuneration includes salary, bonuses, and other benefits like health insurance.

Although a software developer's salary is important, it's only one aspect of their compensation package. Many companies offer stock options to attract and retain top talent. These options give employees a stake in the company's future success. An opportunity to gain from the company's success can motivate software developers to join and stay for the long haul.

It's essential to consider the pros and cons of stock options before accepting a job offer as a software developer. While stock options can be valuable if the company does well, they can also become worthless if its financial performance suffers. This is particularly relevant for start-ups and companies without a proven track record.

Software Development Job Types

Software engineering is a broad and diverse field encompassing a wide range of roles, each with unique skills and responsibilities. Some software engineers focus on creating brand-new software solutions from scratch, while others specialize in maintaining and improving existing software.

Some may become experts in specific programming languages or platforms, while others take a more generalist approach. With so many different roles, there's something for everyone in software engineering.

With such a broad spectrum of opportunities available, here are just a few examples of the different types of software engineering jobs:

1. Web developers build and maintain websites and web applications using software development tools.
2. Data scientists analyze data to find patterns and insights to help businesses make better decisions.
3. Mobile app developers create apps for smartphones and other mobile devices.
4. Game developers create video games.
5. Security engineers design and implement security measures to protect computer systems from hackers and other threats.
6. DevOps engineers manage the software development process, from writing code to deploying it to production servers.
7. Quality assurance engineers test software to ensure it meets customer requirements and is free of bugs.
8. Support engineers provide technical assistance to customers who are using the software.
9. Documentation specialists write user manuals and other documentation to help people understand how to use the software.
10. Sales engineers demonstrate the software to potential customers and help them understand its benefits.

These are just a few of the many different kinds of software engineer jobs. Each one requires a different set of skills and knowledge. But all software engineers share one common trait: a passion for using technology to resolve complex technical issues and create innovative solutions.

Explore Altcademy’s Full-Stack Web Development course

Want to Work in the Tech Industry in Chicago? Learn to Code with Altcademy

There are several ways to apply coding skills in the tech industry. For instance, web development requires coding as an essential skill, while entrepreneurs can use coding to create and test prototypes quickly. Even in data analysis, coding can simplify repetitive tasks and improve efficiency.

Code is used in more than just tech-related fields. Across multiple industries, software development experience has become an indispensable skill.

A growing number of job roles now require some level of coding skills. So, whether you work in tech or not, having a working knowledge of coding is essential to stay relevant and competitive in the modern job market.

Want to Learn Software Engineering at Altcademy?

We offer 100% online programs like Full-Stack Web Development. Our curriculum is comprehensive, affordable, and accessible to all! With our online bootcamp, you will go from zero skills to becoming a software engineer and a professional coder in no time.

This bootcamp enables you to:

💻Learn everything about web development

🔧Learn everything about software engineering

💰Get a much higher salary than the median salary in your country

✈️Get the skills required to work remotely

🚀Join the tech industry which is well-paid, moving fast, and growing fast

🦾Learn enough to start learning machine learning