What the data says about software engineer pay in Chicago
Monthly take-home on that median is roughly US$9,400; local prices sit at COL 100, so its buying power is about US$134,400.
Software Engineer pay in Chicago: national and in-state ranking
On a United States league table of 21 metros, Chicago comes 11th. One place higher is Denver at US$137,610, one lower is Austin at US$134,120, and San Jose tops the list.
Chicago is the only observed IL metro for this role, so there is no in-state average to compare; the national and metro ranking above is the better reference.
Take-home, rent and buying power for Chicago software engineers
With a COL index of 100, there is little difference between headline pay and price-adjusted pay (US$134,400).
Adjusting for prices does not move Chicago in the ranking: it is 11th of 21 on both cash and buying power.
After a simplified 16% effective national income tax, the median nets about US$9,400 a month. A modeled 1-bedroom (US$1,650) takes 18% of that, leaving around US$5,950 after modeled living costs.
Chicago vs similar-cost metros
New York (similar cost level, COL 100) pays US$166,830, 24% more than Chicago; modeled monthly leftover is US$2,060 higher.
Los Angeles (similar cost level, COL 100) pays US$160,920, 20% more than Chicago; modeled monthly leftover is US$1,680 higher.
Houston (similar cost level, COL 100) pays US$129,440, 4% less than Chicago; modeled monthly leftover is US$320 lower.
Software Engineer vs other occupations in Chicago
Lawyer is the best-paid tracked role in Chicago at US$165,660; software engineer comes 2nd of 9.
Closest neighbours in the Chicago list: Data Scientist at US$107,640 (-20%).
Entry-level vs senior software engineer pay in Chicago
Top earners do comparatively well in Chicago — 12th of 21 at the 90th percentile — while entry-level pay ranks 13th.
For the top 10% of earners, San Jose leads with US$289,150 at the 90th percentile, +42% against Chicago.
Spread between low and high software engineer pay in Chicago
Pay is spread out: US$83,820 at the 10th percentile to US$203,410 at the 90th (2.4×). Level and setting matter more than the city average here.