Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
Chicago, IL vs Washington DC, DC

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

Chicago, IL
$166,371
/ year
-15%
difference
Washington DC, DC
$194,616
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago offers better purchasing power (your money goes further) even if gross salary differs. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
Washington DC
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$166,371
$194,616✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$107,591
$125,857✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$257,263
$300,939✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$111,124
$130,160✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$144,670✓ higher
$137,054
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×✓ lower
1.42×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$107,591
$125,857✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$257,263
$300,939✓ higher

What if you move from Chicago to Washington DC?

Gross salary change
+$28,245
15% increase
Take-home change
+$19,036
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$7,616
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
Washington DC, DC$194,616
P10: $125,857Median: $194,616P90: $300,939

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Engineer earn more in Chicago or Washington DC?

The median Data Engineer salary in Chicago, IL is $166,371/yr compared to $194,616/yr in Washington DC, DC. Washington DC pays 15% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Engineer salary worth more in Chicago or Washington DC 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 $137,054/yr for Washington DC. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $111,124/yr, vs $130,160/yr in Washington DC, DC. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.