Salary Comparison

Business Intelligence Analyst Salary:
Seattle, WA vs Chicago, IL

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

Seattle, WA
$144,575
/ year
+29%
difference
Chicago, IL
$112,396
/ year
Bottom line: Seattle wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Seattle
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$144,575✓ higher
$112,396
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$93,496✓ higher
$72,686
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$223,560✓ higher
$173,801
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$97,971✓ higher
$78,550
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$101,813✓ higher
$97,736
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$93,496✓ higher
$72,686
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$223,560✓ higher
$173,801

What if you move from Seattle to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$32,179
29% decrease
Take-home change
$19,421
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$4,077
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

Seattle, WA$144,575
P10: $93,496Median: $144,575P90: $223,560
Chicago, IL$112,396
P10: $72,686Median: $112,396P90: $173,801

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Business Intelligence Analyst earn more in Seattle or Chicago?

The median Business Intelligence Analyst salary in Seattle, WA is $144,575/yr compared to $112,396/yr in Chicago, IL. Seattle pays 29% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Business Intelligence Analyst salary worth more in Seattle or Chicago after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Seattle salary has the purchasing power of $101,813/yr in a median-cost city, vs $97,736/yr for Chicago. Seattle offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Business Intelligence Analyst in Seattle vs Chicago?

After estimated taxes, a Business Intelligence Analyst in Seattle, WA takes home approximately $97,971/yr, vs $78,550/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.