Salary Comparison

AI Engineer Salary:
Boston, MA vs Chicago, IL

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

Boston, MA
$237,344
/ year
+22%
difference
Chicago, IL
$193,908
/ year
Bottom line: Boston wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$237,344✓ higher
$193,908
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$153,489✓ higher
$125,399
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$367,011✓ higher
$299,844
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$159,033✓ higher
$129,679
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$169,531✓ higher
$168,616
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$153,489✓ higher
$125,399
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$367,011✓ higher
$299,844

What if you move from Boston to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$43,436
22% decrease
Take-home change
$29,354
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$915
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00×). Full methodology →

Salary Range Comparison

Boston, MA$237,344
P10: $153,489Median: $237,344P90: $367,011
Chicago, IL$193,908
P10: $125,399Median: $193,908P90: $299,844

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a AI Engineer earn more in Boston or Chicago?

The median AI Engineer salary in Boston, MA is $237,344/yr compared to $193,908/yr in Chicago, IL. Boston pays 22% more in gross terms.

▶Is a AI Engineer salary worth more in Boston or Chicago after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Boston salary has the purchasing power of $169,531/yr in a median-cost city, vs $168,616/yr for Chicago. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a AI Engineer in Boston vs Chicago?

After estimated taxes, a AI Engineer in Boston, MA takes home approximately $159,033/yr, vs $129,679/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.