Salary Comparison

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

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

San Francisco, CA
$246,497
/ year
+45%
difference
Chicago, IL
$170,018
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago offers better purchasing power despite San Francisco paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$246,497✓ higher
$170,018
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$159,408✓ higher
$109,950
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$381,164✓ higher
$262,903
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$164,982✓ higher
$113,434
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$146,724
$147,842✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$159,408✓ higher
$109,950
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$381,164✓ higher
$262,903

What if you move from San Francisco to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$76,479
45% decrease
Take-home change
$51,548
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$1,118
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

San Francisco, CA$246,497
P10: $159,408Median: $246,497P90: $381,164
Chicago, IL$170,018
P10: $109,950Median: $170,018P90: $262,903

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median DevOps Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $246,497/yr compared to $170,018/yr in Chicago, IL. San Francisco pays 45% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your San Francisco salary has the purchasing power of $146,724/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 San Francisco vs Chicago?

After estimated taxes, a DevOps Engineer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $164,982/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.