Salary Comparison

Security Engineer Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs Chicago, IL

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

San Francisco, CA
$229,675
/ year
+38%
difference
Chicago, IL
$166,453
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago offers better purchasing power despite San Francisco paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$229,675✓ higher
$166,453
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$148,530✓ higher
$107,644
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$355,152✓ higher
$257,390
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$154,001✓ higher
$111,174
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$136,711
$144,742✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$148,530✓ higher
$107,644
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$355,152✓ higher
$257,390

What if you move from San Francisco to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$63,222
38% decrease
Take-home change
$42,827
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$8,031
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

San Francisco, CA$229,675
P10: $148,530Median: $229,675P90: $355,152
Chicago, IL$166,453
P10: $107,644Median: $166,453P90: $257,390

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Security Engineer earn more in San Francisco or Chicago?

The median Security Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $229,675/yr compared to $166,453/yr in Chicago, IL. San Francisco pays 38% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your San Francisco salary has the purchasing power of $136,711/yr in a median-cost city, vs $144,742/yr for Chicago. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $154,001/yr, vs $111,174/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.