Salary Comparison

DevOps Engineer Salary:
Boston, MA vs Chicago, IL

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

Boston, MA
$194,492
/ year
+23%
difference
Chicago, IL
$158,634
/ year
Bottom line: Boston wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$194,492✓ higher
$158,634
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$125,777✓ higher
$102,588
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$300,747✓ higher
$245,299
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$130,076✓ higher
$106,455
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$138,923✓ higher
$137,943
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$125,777✓ higher
$102,588
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$300,747✓ higher
$245,299

What if you move from Boston to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$35,858
23% decrease
Take-home change
$23,621
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$980
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

Boston, MA$194,492
P10: $125,777Median: $194,492P90: $300,747
Chicago, IL$158,634
P10: $102,588Median: $158,634P90: $245,299

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median DevOps Engineer salary in Boston, MA is $194,492/yr compared to $158,634/yr in Chicago, IL. Boston pays 23% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Boston salary has the purchasing power of $138,923/yr in a median-cost city, vs $137,943/yr for Chicago. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a DevOps Engineer in Boston, MA takes home approximately $130,076/yr, vs $106,455/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.