Salary Comparison

Network Engineer Salary:
Chicago, IL vs Los Angeles, CA

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

Chicago, IL
$122,206
/ year
-15%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$143,229
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago offers better purchasing power (your money goes further) even if gross salary differs. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$122,206
$143,229✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$79,030
$92,626✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$188,970
$221,478✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$84,471
$97,158✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$106,266✓ higher
$103,789
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×✓ lower
1.38×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$79,030
$92,626✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$188,970
$221,478✓ higher

What if you move from Chicago to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
+$21,023
15% increase
Take-home change
+$12,687
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$2,477
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
Los Angeles, CA$143,229
P10: $92,626Median: $143,229P90: $221,478

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Network Engineer earn more in Chicago or Los Angeles?

The median Network Engineer salary in Chicago, IL is $122,206/yr compared to $143,229/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles pays 15% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Network Engineer salary worth more in Chicago or Los Angeles 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 $103,789/yr for Los Angeles. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Network Engineer in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $84,471/yr, vs $97,158/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.