Salary Comparison

DevOps Engineer Salary:
Los Angeles, CA vs Chicago, IL

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

Los Angeles, CA
$201,403
/ year
+18%
difference
Chicago, IL
$170,018
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago offers better purchasing power despite Los Angeles paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Los Angeles
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$201,403✓ higher
$170,018
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$130,246✓ higher
$109,950
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$311,434✓ higher
$262,903
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$134,776✓ higher
$113,434
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$145,944
$147,842✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$130,246✓ higher
$109,950
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$311,434✓ higher
$262,903

What if you move from Los Angeles to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$31,385
18% decrease
Take-home change
$21,342
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$1,898
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

Los Angeles, CA$201,403
P10: $130,246Median: $201,403P90: $311,434
Chicago, IL$170,018
P10: $109,950Median: $170,018P90: $262,903

More DevOps Engineer salary comparisons

Los Angeles vs New YorkLos Angeles vs HoustonLos Angeles vs PhoenixLos Angeles vs PhiladelphiaLos Angeles vs San AntonioLos Angeles vs San DiegoAll DevOps Engineer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a DevOps Engineer earn more in Los Angeles or Chicago?

The median DevOps Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $201,403/yr compared to $170,018/yr in Chicago, IL. Los Angeles pays 18% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Los Angeles salary has the purchasing power of $145,944/yr in a median-cost city, vs $147,842/yr for Chicago. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a DevOps Engineer in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $134,776/yr, vs $113,434/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.