Construction Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Construction Manager Salary: Chicago, IL vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Construction Managers in Chicago, IL and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$87,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$81,308 vs $64,815
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$71,410 vs $56,894
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $87,000 | $105,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,990 | $80,850▲ | -$13,860 |
| 75th Percentile | $111,360 | $134,400▲ | -$23,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $139,200 | $168,000▲ | -$28,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 5% | -0.04999999999999982% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $81,308▲ | $64,815 | +$16,493 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $76,409 | $92,169▲ | -$15,760 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $71,410▲ | $56,894 | +$14,516 |
| Total Employment | 52,500 | 63,000 | -10,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $18,000 more (median: $87,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($81,308 vs $64,815 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% vs 5%).
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.