Salary Comparison

Security Engineer Salary:
Sydney vs Chicago, IL

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

Sydney
$167,040
/ year
-6%
difference
Chicago, IL
$178,398
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Sydney
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$167,040
$178,398✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$108,024
$115,369✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$258,298
$275,861✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$103,565
$119,132✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$123,733
$155,129✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.35×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$164,196✓ higher
$115,369
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$392,613✓ higher
$275,861

What if you move from Sydney to Chicago?

Gross salary change
+$11,358
6% increase
Take-home change
+$15,567
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$31,396
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

Sydney$167,040
P10: $164,196Median: $167,040P90: $392,613
Chicago, IL$178,398
P10: $115,369Median: $178,398P90: $275,861

More Security Engineer salary comparisons

Sydney vs MelbourneSydney vs BrisbaneSydney vs PerthSydney vs AdelaideChicago vs New YorkChicago vs Los AngelesChicago vs HoustonChicago vs PhoenixAll Security Engineer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Security Engineer salary in Sydney is A$253,901/yr compared to $178,398/yr in Chicago, IL. Chicago pays 6% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Sydney salary has the purchasing power of $123,733/yr in a median-cost city, vs $155,129/yr for Chicago. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in Sydney takes home approximately $103,565/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.