Salary Comparison

Information Security Analyst Salary:
Seattle, WA vs Chicago, IL

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

Seattle, WA
$172,707
/ year
+39%
difference
Chicago, IL
$123,892
/ year
Bottom line: Seattle wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Seattle
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$172,707✓ higher
$123,892
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$111,689✓ higher
$80,120
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$267,061✓ higher
$191,577
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$115,262✓ higher
$85,488
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$121,625✓ higher
$107,732
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$111,689✓ higher
$80,120
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$267,061✓ higher
$191,577

What if you move from Seattle to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$48,815
39% decrease
Take-home change
$29,774
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$13,893
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

Seattle, WA$172,707
P10: $111,689Median: $172,707P90: $267,061
Chicago, IL$123,892
P10: $80,120Median: $123,892P90: $191,577

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Information Security Analyst earn more in Seattle or Chicago?

The median Information Security Analyst salary in Seattle, WA is $172,707/yr compared to $123,892/yr in Chicago, IL. Seattle pays 39% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Information Security Analyst salary worth more in Seattle or Chicago after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Seattle salary has the purchasing power of $121,625/yr in a median-cost city, vs $107,732/yr for Chicago. Seattle offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Information Security Analyst in Seattle vs Chicago?

After estimated taxes, a Information Security Analyst in Seattle, WA takes home approximately $115,262/yr, vs $85,488/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.