Salary Comparison

Machine Learning Engineer Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs Chicago, IL

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

San Francisco, CA
$244,299
/ year
+34%
difference
Chicago, IL
$182,538
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago offers better purchasing power despite San Francisco paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$244,299✓ higher
$182,538
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$157,987✓ higher
$118,046
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$377,765✓ higher
$282,263
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$163,553✓ higher
$121,947
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$145,416
$158,729✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$157,987✓ higher
$118,046
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$377,765✓ higher
$282,263

What if you move from San Francisco to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$61,761
34% decrease
Take-home change
$41,606
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$13,313
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

San Francisco, CA$244,299
P10: $157,987Median: $244,299P90: $377,765
Chicago, IL$182,538
P10: $118,046Median: $182,538P90: $282,263

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Machine Learning Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $244,299/yr compared to $182,538/yr in Chicago, IL. San Francisco pays 34% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your San Francisco salary has the purchasing power of $145,416/yr in a median-cost city, vs $158,729/yr for Chicago. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Machine Learning Engineer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $163,553/yr, vs $121,947/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.