Salary Comparison

Network Engineer Salary:
Seattle, WA vs Chicago, IL

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

Seattle, WA
$151,452
/ year
+33%
difference
Chicago, IL
$114,024
/ year
Bottom line: Seattle wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Seattle
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$151,452✓ higher
$114,024
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$97,943✓ higher
$73,739
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$234,194✓ higher
$176,318
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$102,121✓ higher
$79,533
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$106,656✓ higher
$99,151
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$97,943✓ higher
$73,739
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$234,194✓ higher
$176,318

What if you move from Seattle to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$37,428
33% decrease
Take-home change
$22,588
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$7,505
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

Seattle, WA$151,452
P10: $97,943Median: $151,452P90: $234,194
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 Seattle or Chicago?

The median Network Engineer salary in Seattle, WA is $151,452/yr compared to $114,024/yr in Chicago, IL. Seattle pays 33% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Seattle salary has the purchasing power of $106,656/yr in a median-cost city, vs $99,151/yr for Chicago. Seattle offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Network Engineer in Seattle, WA takes home approximately $102,121/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.