Salary Comparison

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

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

Washington DC, DC
$223,387
/ year
+25%
difference
Chicago, IL
$178,398
/ 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
Washington DC
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$223,387✓ higher
$178,398
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$144,463✓ higher
$115,369
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$345,429✓ higher
$275,861
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$149,725✓ higher
$119,132
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$157,315✓ higher
$155,129
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$144,463✓ higher
$115,369
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$345,429✓ higher
$275,861

What if you move from Washington DC to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$44,989
25% decrease
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

Washington DC, DC$223,387
P10: $144,463Median: $223,387P90: $345,429
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 Washington DC or Chicago?

The median Security Engineer salary in Washington DC, DC is $223,387/yr compared to $178,398/yr in Chicago, IL. Washington DC pays 25% more in gross terms.

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

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

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

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in Washington DC, DC takes home approximately $149,725/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.