Salary Comparison

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

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

San Francisco, CA
$235,345
/ year
+41%
difference
Chicago, IL
$166,371
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago offers better purchasing power despite San Francisco paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$235,345✓ higher
$166,371
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$152,197✓ higher
$107,591
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$363,919✓ higher
$257,263
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$157,733✓ higher
$111,124
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$140,086
$144,670✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$152,197✓ higher
$107,591
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$363,919✓ higher
$257,263

What if you move from San Francisco to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$68,974
41% decrease
Take-home change
$46,609
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$4,584
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

San Francisco, CA$235,345
P10: $152,197Median: $235,345P90: $363,919
Chicago, IL$166,371
P10: $107,591Median: $166,371P90: $257,263

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Data Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $235,345/yr compared to $166,371/yr in Chicago, IL. San Francisco pays 41% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your San Francisco salary has the purchasing power of $140,086/yr in a median-cost city, vs $144,670/yr for Chicago. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $157,733/yr, vs $111,124/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.