Salary Comparison

Network 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
$153,495
/ year
+35%
difference
Chicago, IL
$114,024
/ 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
$153,495✓ higher
$114,024
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$99,264✓ higher
$73,739
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$237,353✓ higher
$176,318
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$103,354✓ higher
$79,533
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$91,366
$99,151✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$99,264✓ higher
$73,739
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$237,353✓ higher
$176,318

What if you move from San Francisco to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$39,471
35% decrease
Take-home change
$23,821
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$7,785
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$153,495
P10: $99,264Median: $153,495P90: $237,353
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 San Francisco or Chicago?

The median Network Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $153,495/yr compared to $114,024/yr in Chicago, IL. San Francisco pays 35% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Network 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 $91,366/yr in a median-cost city, vs $99,151/yr for Chicago. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Network Engineer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $103,354/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.