Salary Comparison

Program Manager Salary:
Los Angeles, CA vs Chicago, IL

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

Los Angeles, CA
$160,674
/ year
+2%
difference
Chicago, IL
$157,412
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago offers better purchasing power despite Los Angeles paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Los Angeles
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$160,674✓ higher
$157,412
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$103,907✓ higher
$101,798
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$248,454✓ higher
$243,410
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$107,686✓ higher
$105,718
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$116,430
$136,880✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$103,907✓ higher
$101,798
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$248,454✓ higher
$243,410

What if you move from Los Angeles to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$3,262
2% decrease
Take-home change
$1,968
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$20,450
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

Los Angeles, CA$160,674
P10: $103,907Median: $160,674P90: $248,454
Chicago, IL$157,412
P10: $101,798Median: $157,412P90: $243,410

More Program Manager salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Program Manager earn more in Los Angeles or Chicago?

The median Program Manager salary in Los Angeles, CA is $160,674/yr compared to $157,412/yr in Chicago, IL. Los Angeles pays 2% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Los Angeles salary has the purchasing power of $116,430/yr in a median-cost city, vs $136,880/yr for Chicago. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Program Manager in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $107,686/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.