Salary Comparison

DevOps Engineer Salary:
Chicago, IL vs New York, NY

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

Chicago, IL
$170,018
/ year
-23%
difference
New York, NY
$219,393
/ year
Bottom line: New York wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
New York
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$170,018
$219,393✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$109,950
$141,880✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$262,903
$339,252✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$113,434
$147,009✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$147,842
$151,306✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×✓ lower
1.45×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$109,950
$141,880✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$262,903
$339,252✓ higher

What if you move from Chicago to New York?

Gross salary change
+$49,375
23% increase
Take-home change
+$33,575
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$3,464
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$170,018
P10: $109,950Median: $170,018P90: $262,903
New York, NY$219,393
P10: $141,880Median: $219,393P90: $339,252

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a DevOps Engineer earn more in Chicago or New York?

The median DevOps Engineer salary in Chicago, IL is $170,018/yr compared to $219,393/yr in New York, NY. New York pays 23% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Chicago salary has the purchasing power of $147,842/yr in a median-cost city, vs $151,306/yr for New York. New York offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a DevOps Engineer in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $113,434/yr, vs $147,009/yr in New York, NY. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.