Salary Comparison

Network Engineer Salary:
Chicago, IL vs Atlanta, GA

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

Chicago, IL
$114,024
/ year
+11%
difference
Atlanta, GA
$102,611
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
Atlanta
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$114,024✓ higher
$102,611
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$73,739✓ higher
$66,358
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$176,318✓ higher
$158,670
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$79,533✓ higher
$72,645
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$99,151✓ higher
$97,725
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×
1.05×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$73,739✓ higher
$66,358
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$176,318✓ higher
$158,670

What if you move from Chicago to Atlanta?

Gross salary change
$11,413
11% decrease
Take-home change
$6,888
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$1,426
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$114,024
P10: $73,739Median: $114,024P90: $176,318
Atlanta, GA$102,611
P10: $66,358Median: $102,611P90: $158,670

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Network Engineer salary in Chicago, IL is $114,024/yr compared to $102,611/yr in Atlanta, GA. Chicago pays 11% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Chicago salary has the purchasing power of $99,151/yr in a median-cost city, vs $97,725/yr for Atlanta. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Network Engineer in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $79,533/yr, vs $72,645/yr in Atlanta, GA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.