Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
Chicago, IL vs Phoenix, AZ

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

Chicago, IL
$166,371
/ year
+25%
difference
Phoenix, AZ
$133,210
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
Phoenix
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$166,371✓ higher
$133,210
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$107,591✓ higher
$86,146
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$257,263✓ higher
$205,986
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$111,124✓ higher
$91,112
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$144,670✓ higher
$137,330
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×
0.97×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$107,591✓ higher
$86,146
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$257,263✓ higher
$205,986

What if you move from Chicago to Phoenix?

Gross salary change
$33,161
25% decrease
Take-home change
$20,012
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$7,340
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
Phoenix, AZ$133,210
P10: $86,146Median: $133,210P90: $205,986

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Engineer earn more in Chicago or Phoenix?

The median Data Engineer salary in Chicago, IL is $166,371/yr compared to $133,210/yr in Phoenix, AZ. Chicago pays 25% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Engineer salary worth more in Chicago or Phoenix 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 $137,330/yr for Phoenix. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $111,124/yr, vs $91,112/yr in Phoenix, AZ. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.