DevOps Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
DevOps Engineer Salary: Chicago, IL vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for DevOps Engineers in Chicago, IL and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$125,000 vs $162,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$116,822 vs $100,000
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$102,601 vs $92,400
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $125,000 | $162,000▲ | -$37,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $95,000 | $123,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $162,000 | $210,000▲ | -$48,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $203,000 | $262,000▲ | -$59,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95% | 0%▲ | +4.95% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $116,822▲ | $100,000 | +$16,822 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $109,783 | $149,688▲ | -$39,905 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $102,601▲ | $92,400 | +$10,201 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 13,000 | -4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $37,000 more (median: $125,000 vs $162,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($116,822 vs $100,000 equivalent). Seattle, WA has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
4More DevOps Engineer City Comparisons
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.