Salary Comparison

Security Engineer Salary:
Chicago, IL vs Denver, CO

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

Chicago, IL
$166,453
/ year
-12%
difference
Denver, CO
$189,630
/ year
Bottom line: Denver wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
Denver
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$166,453
$189,630✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$107,644
$122,633✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$257,390
$293,229✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$111,174
$126,770✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$144,742
$166,342✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×
1.14×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$107,644
$122,633✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$257,390
$293,229✓ higher

What if you move from Chicago to Denver?

Gross salary change
+$23,177
12% increase
Take-home change
+$15,596
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$21,600
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

Chicago, IL$166,453
P10: $107,644Median: $166,453P90: $257,390
Denver, CO$189,630
P10: $122,633Median: $189,630P90: $293,229

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Security Engineer salary in Chicago, IL is $166,453/yr compared to $189,630/yr in Denver, CO. Denver pays 12% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Security Engineer salary worth more in Chicago or Denver after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Chicago salary has the purchasing power of $144,742/yr in a median-cost city, vs $166,342/yr for Denver. Denver offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $111,174/yr, vs $126,770/yr in Denver, CO. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.