Salary Comparison

Information Security Analyst Salary:
Sydney vs Chicago, IL

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

Sydney
$131,388
/ year
+6%
difference
Chicago, IL
$123,892
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago offers better purchasing power despite Sydney paying more gross. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Sydney
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$131,388โœ“ higher
$123,892
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$84,968โœ“ higher
$80,120
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$203,168โœ“ higher
$191,577
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$89,344โœ“ higher
$85,488
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$97,324
$107,732โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.35ร—
1.15ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$129,151โœ“ higher
$80,120
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$308,815โœ“ higher
$191,577

What if you move from Sydney to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$7,496
6% decrease
Take-home change
$3,856
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$10,408
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 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

Sydney$131,388
P10: $129,151Median: $131,388P90: $308,815
Chicago, IL$123,892
P10: $80,120Median: $123,892P90: $191,577

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Information Security Analyst earn more in Sydney or Chicago?

The median Information Security Analyst salary in Sydney is A$199,710/yr compared to $123,892/yr in Chicago, IL. Sydney pays 6% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Information Security Analyst 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 $97,324/yr in a median-cost city, vs $107,732/yr for Chicago. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Information Security Analyst in Sydney vs Chicago?

After estimated taxes, a Information Security Analyst in Sydney takes home approximately $89,344/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.