Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
Chicago, IL vs San Diego, CA

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

Chicago, IL
$166,371
/ year
-6%
difference
San Diego, CA
$177,027
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago offers better purchasing power (your money goes further) even if gross salary differs. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
San Diego
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$166,371
$177,027✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$107,591
$114,483✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$257,263
$273,741✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$111,124
$118,200✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$144,670✓ higher
$138,302
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×✓ lower
1.28×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$107,591
$114,483✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$257,263
$273,741✓ higher

What if you move from Chicago to San Diego?

Gross salary change
+$10,656
6% increase
Take-home change
+$7,076
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$6,368
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
San Diego, CA$177,027
P10: $114,483Median: $177,027P90: $273,741

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Engineer earn more in Chicago or San Diego?

The median Data Engineer salary in Chicago, IL is $166,371/yr compared to $177,027/yr in San Diego, CA. San Diego pays 6% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Engineer salary worth more in Chicago or San Diego 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 $138,302/yr for San Diego. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $111,124/yr, vs $118,200/yr in San Diego, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.