Salary Comparison

Network Engineer Salary:
Chicago, IL vs Denver, CO

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

Chicago, IL
$122,206
/ year
+3%
difference
Denver, CO
$119,009
/ 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
Denver
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$122,206✓ higher
$119,009
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$79,030✓ higher
$76,963
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$188,970✓ higher
$184,026
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$84,471✓ higher
$82,541
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$106,266✓ higher
$104,394
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×
1.14×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$79,030✓ higher
$76,963
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$188,970✓ higher
$184,026

What if you move from Chicago to Denver?

Gross salary change
$3,197
3% decrease
Take-home change
$1,930
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$1,872
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$122,206
P10: $79,030Median: $122,206P90: $188,970
Denver, CO$119,009
P10: $76,963Median: $119,009P90: $184,026

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Network Engineer salary in Chicago, IL is $122,206/yr compared to $119,009/yr in Denver, CO. Chicago pays 3% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Chicago salary has the purchasing power of $106,266/yr in a median-cost city, vs $104,394/yr for Denver. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Network Engineer in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $84,471/yr, vs $82,541/yr in Denver, CO. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.