Salary Comparison

DevOps Engineer Salary:
Sydney vs Chicago, IL

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

Sydney
$155,522
/ year
-9%
difference
Chicago, IL
$170,018
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Sydney
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$155,522
$170,018✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$100,575
$109,950✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$240,487
$262,903✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$96,424
$113,434✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$115,201
$147,842✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.35×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$152,874✓ higher
$109,950
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$365,540✓ higher
$262,903

What if you move from Sydney to Chicago?

Gross salary change
+$14,496
9% increase
Take-home change
+$17,010
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$32,641
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

Sydney$155,522
P10: $152,874Median: $155,522P90: $365,540
Chicago, IL$170,018
P10: $109,950Median: $170,018P90: $262,903

More DevOps Engineer salary comparisons

Sydney vs MelbourneSydney vs BrisbaneSydney vs PerthSydney vs AdelaideChicago vs New YorkChicago vs Los AngelesChicago vs HoustonChicago vs PhoenixAll DevOps Engineer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median DevOps Engineer salary in Sydney is A$236,393/yr compared to $170,018/yr in Chicago, IL. Chicago pays 9% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Sydney salary has the purchasing power of $115,201/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 Sydney vs Chicago?

After estimated taxes, a DevOps Engineer in Sydney takes home approximately $96,424/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.