Salary Comparison

Machine Learning Engineer Salary:
Chicago, IL vs Los Angeles, CA

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

Chicago, IL
$195,637
/ year
-16%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$234,282
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago offers better purchasing power (your money goes further) even if gross salary differs. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$195,637
$234,282✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$126,518
$151,509✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$302,518
$362,276✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$130,855
$157,042✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$170,119✓ higher
$169,770
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×✓ lower
1.38×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$126,518
$151,509✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$302,518
$362,276✓ higher

What if you move from Chicago to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
+$38,645
16% increase
Take-home change
+$26,187
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$349
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

Chicago, IL$195,637
P10: $126,518Median: $195,637P90: $302,518
Los Angeles, CA$234,282
P10: $151,509Median: $234,282P90: $362,276

More Machine Learning Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Chicago, IL is $195,637/yr compared to $234,282/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles pays 16% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Chicago salary has the purchasing power of $170,119/yr in a median-cost city, vs $169,770/yr for Los Angeles. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Machine Learning Engineer in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $130,855/yr, vs $157,042/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.