What the data says about frontend developer pay in Chicago
Here is how that number compares with the rest of the United States, with IL, and with other jobs in Chicago.
Frontend Developer pay in Chicago: national and in-state ranking
Directly above Chicago is San Diego (US$98,300); directly below is Dallas (US$96,740). The full range runs from US$73,920 in Portland to US$166,670 in San Jose.
No other IL metro has observed frontend developer percentiles here, so Chicago is judged against the 19-metro national list instead.
Take-home, rent and buying power for Chicago frontend developers
With a COL index of 100, there is little difference between headline pay and price-adjusted pay (US$96,900).
Its place holds after a cost-of-living adjustment — 9th of 19 either way.
After a simplified 13% effective national income tax, the median nets about US$7,000 a month. A modeled 1-bedroom (US$1,650) takes 24% of that, leaving around US$3,530 after modeled living costs.
Metros with a cost level like Chicago
A frontend developer moving from Chicago to New York (similar cost level, COL 100) would see the median rise 8% to US$104,820, with US$520 more left over monthly in our model.
Los Angeles (similar cost level, COL 100) pays US$107,290, 11% more than Chicago; modeled monthly leftover is US$680 higher.
Houston (similar cost level, COL 100) pays US$89,040, 8% less than Chicago; modeled monthly leftover is US$500 lower.
Where Frontend Developer ranks among Chicago jobs
Frontend Developer ranks 8th of 9 occupations with observed Chicago data. Lawyer leads the city at US$165,660.
Closest neighbours in the Chicago list: Registered Nurse at US$100,490 (+4%) and Accountant at US$82,360 (-15%).
How Chicago ranks at the low and high end
Chicago is relatively stronger at the entry end: its 10th-percentile pay (US$72,790) ranks 5th of 19, while its 90th percentile (US$134,330) ranks 17th.
For the top 10% of earners, San Jose leads with US$233,990 at the 90th percentile, +74% against Chicago.
The frontend developer pay range in Chicago
Offers in Chicago vary less than for many roles: US$72,790 at the 10th percentile and US$134,330 at the 90th (1.8×).