Salary Comparison

Network Engineer Salary:
Austin, TX vs Chicago, IL

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

Austin, TX
$117,544
/ year
+3%
difference
Chicago, IL
$114,024
/ year
Bottom line: Austin wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Austin
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$117,544✓ higher
$114,024
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$76,015✓ higher
$73,739
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$181,761✓ higher
$176,318
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$81,657✓ higher
$79,533
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$104,950✓ higher
$99,151
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×✓ lower
1.15×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$76,015✓ higher
$73,739
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$181,761✓ higher
$176,318

What if you move from Austin to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$3,520
3% decrease
Take-home change
$2,124
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$5,799
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

Austin, TX$117,544
P10: $76,015Median: $117,544P90: $181,761
Chicago, IL$114,024
P10: $73,739Median: $114,024P90: $176,318

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Network Engineer earn more in Austin or Chicago?

The median Network Engineer salary in Austin, TX is $117,544/yr compared to $114,024/yr in Chicago, IL. Austin pays 3% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Network Engineer salary worth more in Austin or Chicago after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Austin salary has the purchasing power of $104,950/yr in a median-cost city, vs $99,151/yr for Chicago. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Network Engineer in Austin vs Chicago?

After estimated taxes, a Network Engineer in Austin, TX takes home approximately $81,657/yr, vs $79,533/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.