Salary Comparison

Machine Learning Engineer Salary:
Denver, CO vs Chicago, IL

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

Denver, CO
$187,822
/ year
-4%
difference
Chicago, IL
$195,637
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Denver
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$187,822
$195,637✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$121,464
$126,518✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$290,434
$302,518✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$125,541
$130,855✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$164,756
$170,119✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.14×✓ lower
1.15×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$121,464
$126,518✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$290,434
$302,518✓ higher

What if you move from Denver to Chicago?

Gross salary change
+$7,815
4% increase
Take-home change
+$5,314
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$5,363
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

Denver, CO$187,822
P10: $121,464Median: $187,822P90: $290,434
Chicago, IL$195,637
P10: $126,518Median: $195,637P90: $302,518

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Denver, CO is $187,822/yr compared to $195,637/yr in Chicago, IL. Chicago pays 4% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Denver salary has the purchasing power of $164,756/yr in a median-cost city, vs $170,119/yr for Chicago. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Machine Learning Engineer in Denver, CO takes home approximately $125,541/yr, vs $130,855/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.