Salary Comparison

Security Engineer 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
$221,765
/ year
+24%
difference
Chicago, IL
$178,398
/ 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
$221,765✓ higher
$178,398
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$143,414✓ higher
$115,369
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$342,920✓ higher
$275,861
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$148,622✓ higher
$119,132
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$158,404✓ higher
$155,129
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$143,414✓ higher
$115,369
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$342,920✓ higher
$275,861

What if you move from Boston to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$43,367
24% decrease
Take-home change
$29,490
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$3,275
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$221,765
P10: $143,414Median: $221,765P90: $342,920
Chicago, IL$178,398
P10: $115,369Median: $178,398P90: $275,861

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Security Engineer earn more in Boston or Chicago?

The median Security Engineer salary in Boston, MA is $221,765/yr compared to $178,398/yr in Chicago, IL. Boston pays 24% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Security Engineer 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 $158,404/yr in a median-cost city, vs $155,129/yr for Chicago. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Security Engineer in Boston vs Chicago?

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in Boston, MA takes home approximately $148,622/yr, vs $119,132/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.