Salary Comparison

DevOps Engineer Salary:
Chicago, IL vs Denver, CO

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

Chicago, IL
$158,634
/ year
-13%
difference
Denver, CO
$183,276
/ year
Bottom line: Denver wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
Denver
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$158,634
$183,276✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$102,588
$118,524✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$245,299
$283,404✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$106,455
$122,449✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$137,943
$160,768✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×
1.14×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$102,588
$118,524✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$245,299
$283,404✓ higher

What if you move from Chicago to Denver?

Gross salary change
+$24,642
13% increase
Take-home change
+$15,994
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$22,825
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
Denver, CO$183,276
P10: $118,524Median: $183,276P90: $283,404

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median DevOps Engineer salary in Chicago, IL is $158,634/yr compared to $183,276/yr in Denver, CO. Denver pays 13% more in gross terms.

▶Is a DevOps Engineer salary worth more in Chicago or Denver 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 $160,768/yr for Denver. Denver offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a DevOps Engineer in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $106,455/yr, vs $122,449/yr in Denver, CO. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.