Salary Comparison

DevOps Engineer Salary:
Chicago, IL vs San Diego, CA

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

Chicago, IL
$170,018
/ year
-8%
difference
San Diego, CA
$184,019
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago offers better purchasing power (your money goes further) even if gross salary differs. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
San Diego
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$170,018
$184,019✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$109,950
$119,004✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$262,903
$284,553✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$113,434
$122,955✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$147,842✓ higher
$143,765
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×✓ lower
1.28×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$109,950
$119,004✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$262,903
$284,553✓ higher

What if you move from Chicago to San Diego?

Gross salary change
+$14,001
8% increase
Take-home change
+$9,521
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$4,077
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
San Diego, CA$184,019
P10: $119,004Median: $184,019P90: $284,553

More DevOps Engineer salary comparisons

Chicago vs New YorkChicago vs Los AngelesChicago vs HoustonChicago vs PhoenixChicago vs PhiladelphiaChicago vs San AntonioAll DevOps Engineer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a DevOps Engineer earn more in Chicago or San Diego?

The median DevOps Engineer salary in Chicago, IL is $170,018/yr compared to $184,019/yr in San Diego, CA. San Diego pays 8% more in gross terms.

▶Is a DevOps Engineer salary worth more in Chicago or San Diego 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 $143,765/yr for San Diego. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a DevOps Engineer in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $113,434/yr, vs $122,955/yr in San Diego, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.