Salary Comparison

Program Manager Salary:
Boston, MA vs Chicago, IL

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

Boston, MA
$192,396
/ year
+22%
difference
Chicago, IL
$157,412
/ year
Bottom line: Boston wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$192,396✓ higher
$157,412
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$124,422✓ higher
$101,798
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$297,506✓ higher
$243,410
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$128,651✓ higher
$105,718
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$137,426✓ higher
$136,880
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$124,422✓ higher
$101,798
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$297,506✓ higher
$243,410

What if you move from Boston to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$34,984
22% decrease
Take-home change
$22,933
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$546
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

Boston, MA$192,396
P10: $124,422Median: $192,396P90: $297,506
Chicago, IL$157,412
P10: $101,798Median: $157,412P90: $243,410

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Program Manager earn more in Boston or Chicago?

The median Program Manager salary in Boston, MA is $192,396/yr compared to $157,412/yr in Chicago, IL. Boston pays 22% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Program Manager salary worth more in Boston or Chicago after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Boston salary has the purchasing power of $137,426/yr in a median-cost city, vs $136,880/yr for Chicago. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Program Manager in Boston vs Chicago?

After estimated taxes, a Program Manager in Boston, MA takes home approximately $128,651/yr, vs $105,718/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.