Project Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Project Manager Salary: Chicago, IL vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Project Managers in Chicago, IL and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$92,000 vs $126,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$85,981 vs $67,742
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$75,514 vs $56,773
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $92,000 | $126,000▲ | -$34,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,840 | $97,020▲ | -$26,180 |
| 75th Percentile | $117,760 | $161,280▲ | -$43,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $147,200 | $201,600▲ | -$54,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 186 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 9.3% | -4.3500000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $85,981▲ | $67,742 | +$18,239 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $80,800 | $105,597▲ | -$24,797 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $75,514▲ | $56,773 | +$18,741 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 41,600 | -13,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $34,000 more (median: $92,000 vs $126,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 186), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($85,981 vs $67,742 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% vs 9.3%).
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.