Salary Comparison

DevOps Engineer Salary:
Chicago, IL vs Atlanta, GA

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

Chicago, IL
$158,634
/ year
+5%
difference
Atlanta, GA
$150,767
/ year
Bottom line: Atlanta offers better purchasing power despite Chicago paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
Atlanta
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$158,634✓ higher
$150,767
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$102,588✓ higher
$97,500
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$245,299✓ higher
$233,135
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$106,455✓ higher
$101,707
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$137,943
$143,588✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×
1.05×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$102,588✓ higher
$97,500
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$245,299✓ higher
$233,135

What if you move from Chicago to Atlanta?

Gross salary change
$7,867
5% decrease
Take-home change
$4,748
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$5,645
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$158,634
P10: $102,588Median: $158,634P90: $245,299
Atlanta, GA$150,767
P10: $97,500Median: $150,767P90: $233,135

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median DevOps Engineer salary in Chicago, IL is $158,634/yr compared to $150,767/yr in Atlanta, GA. Chicago pays 5% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Chicago salary has the purchasing power of $137,943/yr in a median-cost city, vs $143,588/yr for Atlanta. Atlanta offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a DevOps Engineer in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $106,455/yr, vs $101,707/yr in Atlanta, GA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.