Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
Chicago, IL vs Los Angeles, CA

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

Chicago, IL
$166,371
/ year
-15%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$195,098
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago offers better purchasing power (your money goes further) even if gross salary differs. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$166,371
$195,098✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$107,591
$126,169✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$257,263
$301,685✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$111,124
$130,488✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$144,670✓ higher
$141,375
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×✓ lower
1.38×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$107,591
$126,169✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$257,263
$301,685✓ higher

What if you move from Chicago to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
+$28,727
15% increase
Take-home change
+$19,364
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$3,295
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

Chicago, IL$166,371
P10: $107,591Median: $166,371P90: $257,263
Los Angeles, CA$195,098
P10: $126,169Median: $195,098P90: $301,685

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Engineer earn more in Chicago or Los Angeles?

The median Data Engineer salary in Chicago, IL is $166,371/yr compared to $195,098/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles pays 15% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Engineer salary worth more in Chicago or Los Angeles after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Chicago salary has the purchasing power of $144,670/yr in a median-cost city, vs $141,375/yr for Los Angeles. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Data Engineer in Chicago vs Los Angeles?

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $111,124/yr, vs $130,488/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.