Salary Comparison

Security Engineer Salary:
Chicago, IL vs Washington DC, DC

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

Chicago, IL
$178,398
/ year
-20%
difference
Washington DC, DC
$223,387
/ year
Bottom line: Washington DC wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
Washington DC
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$178,398
$223,387✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$115,369
$144,463✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$275,861
$345,429✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$119,132
$149,725✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$155,129
$157,315✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×✓ lower
1.42×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$115,369
$144,463✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$275,861
$345,429✓ higher

What if you move from Chicago to Washington DC?

Gross salary change
+$44,989
20% increase
Take-home change
+$30,593
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$2,186
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$178,398
P10: $115,369Median: $178,398P90: $275,861
Washington DC, DC$223,387
P10: $144,463Median: $223,387P90: $345,429

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Security Engineer earn more in Chicago or Washington DC?

The median Security Engineer salary in Chicago, IL is $178,398/yr compared to $223,387/yr in Washington DC, DC. Washington DC pays 20% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Chicago salary has the purchasing power of $155,129/yr in a median-cost city, vs $157,315/yr for Washington DC. Washington DC offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $119,132/yr, vs $149,725/yr in Washington DC, DC. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.