Salary Comparison

DevOps Engineer Salary:
Atlanta, GA vs Chicago, IL

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

Atlanta, GA
$157,675
/ year
-7%
difference
Chicago, IL
$170,018
/ year
Bottom line: Atlanta offers better purchasing power (your money goes further) even if gross salary differs. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Atlanta
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$157,675
$170,018✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$101,968
$109,950✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$243,817
$262,903✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$105,876
$113,434✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$150,167✓ higher
$147,842
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.05×✓ lower
1.15×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$101,968
$109,950✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$243,817
$262,903✓ higher

What if you move from Atlanta to Chicago?

Gross salary change
+$12,343
7% increase
Take-home change
+$7,558
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$2,325
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

Atlanta, GA$157,675
P10: $101,968Median: $157,675P90: $243,817
Chicago, IL$170,018
P10: $109,950Median: $170,018P90: $262,903

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a DevOps Engineer earn more in Atlanta or Chicago?

The median DevOps Engineer salary in Atlanta, GA is $157,675/yr compared to $170,018/yr in Chicago, IL. Chicago pays 7% more in gross terms.

▶Is a DevOps Engineer salary worth more in Atlanta or Chicago after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Atlanta salary has the purchasing power of $150,167/yr in a median-cost city, vs $147,842/yr for Chicago. Atlanta offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a DevOps Engineer in Atlanta vs Chicago?

After estimated taxes, a DevOps Engineer in Atlanta, GA takes home approximately $105,876/yr, vs $113,434/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.