Network Engineer Salary in Chicago, IL
Network Engineers in Chicago, IL earn a median of $87,000/year, ranging from $66,990 (25th percentile) to $139,200 (90th percentile). After Illinois state taxes (4.95%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 107), this is equivalent to $81,308 in purchasing power vs the US average.
On the ground in Chicago, IL
Network engineers in Chicago land roles across finance, healthcare, and tech services, with notable employers in this market including JPMorgan Chase, Northwestern Medicine, and smaller managed-service providers throughout the Loop and nearby suburbs. The commute heavily depends on where you work - downtown roles mean relying on the CTA's Red and Blue lines, while suburbs like Schaumburg or Naperville often require a car, though some employers offer shuttle services along the I-90 corridor. Rent in neighborhoods like Pilsen or Logan Square runs around $1,400 to $1,600 monthly for a one-bedroom, which can strain a mid-range salary. Illinois' 4.95% state income tax hits your take-home noticeably compared to neighboring states, so factor that into your negotiation. Winter weather also shapes the role - many engineers handle seasonal network strain from heating systems and remote-work surges during brutal January and February stretches.
1Salary Distribution in Chicago, IL
2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power
* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.
How Does Chicago, IL Compare?
| City | Median | COL Index | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL (current) | $87,000 | 107 | $81,308 |
| San Francisco, CA | $119,000 | 186 | $63,978 |
| New York, NY | $114,000 | 187 | $60,963 |
| Seattle, WA | $116,000 | 162 | $71,605 |
| Boston, MA | $105,000 | 162 | $64,815 |
| Austin, TX | $95,000 | 124 | $76,613 |
4Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Network Engineer salary in Chicago, IL?
The median Network Engineer salary in Chicago, IL is $87,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $66,990 and the 90th percentile is $139,200.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a Network Engineer?
Chicago, IL has a cost of living index of 107 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $87,000 Network Engineer salary in Chicago, IL is equivalent to $81,308 in purchasing power compared to the US average.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Chicago, IL?
Chicago, IL has a cost of living index of 107, meaning it is 7% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in Illinois is approximately 4.95%.
What is the Network Engineer salary range in Chicago, IL?
In Chicago, IL, Network Engineers earn between $66,990 (25th percentile) and $139,200 (90th percentile), with a median of $87,000 per year.
How many Network Engineer jobs are there in Chicago, IL?
According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 52,500 Network Engineer positions in the Chicago, IL metropolitan area.
What do Network Engineers earn in Chicago, IL?
Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Network Engineers in Chicago, IL earn a median annual wage of $87,000. The middle 50% earn between $66,990 and $111,360. The top 10% earn more than $139,200. There are approximately 52,500 Network Engineers employed in the Chicago, IL metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 3.1%.
Is Chicago, IL a good place for a Network Engineer?
Chicago, IL has a cost of living index of 107 (US average = 100), making it 7% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Network Engineer in Chicago, IL earning $87,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $81,308 relative to the US median. Illinois has a state income tax rate of approximately 4.95%.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Chicago, IL?
Chicago, IL's cost of living index is 107, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $87,000 in Chicago, ILhas the same purchasing power as $81,308 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.
Compare Chicago, IL with Another City
See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.
5Should You Work as a Network Engineer in Chicago, IL?
The headline median of $87,000 is only part of the picture. Chicago, IL's cost of living index is 107 (US average = 100), meaning a dollar here buys roughly 93¢ of what it buys in an average US city. The $87,000 salary effectively purchases $81,308 worth of goods and services at national-average prices.
Housing is the single biggest driver of cost-of-living differences between metros. In Chicago, IL, housing costs fall closer to the national average of 25–30% of gross income, leaving more room in the budget for savings, transportation, and discretionary spending. For a $87,000 salary, that translates to roughly $24,360/year on housing alone.
State tax plays a meaningful but smaller role. Illinois levies a state income tax of approximately 4.95%, which reduces take-home by roughly $4,307 per year on this salary. States with zero income tax (Texas, Florida, Washington, Tennessee, Nevada) offer a structural advantage, but often offset it with higher sales tax or property tax. After state tax and approximate federal FICA (~7.6%), the estimated take-home is $76,409. This excludes federal income tax, which varies by filing status and deductions.
For comparison, here are nearby alternatives: San Francisco, CA ($119,000 median, COL 186); New York, NY ($114,000 median, COL 187); Seattle, WA ($116,000 median, COL 162). If you're optimizing for purchasing power, compare the COL-adjusted column in the table above and pick the highest number. If you're optimizing for career progression, weight total employment and yearly growth in the role — larger markets offer more lateral moves and promotion velocity, even when nominal pay is lower.
The 3.1% year-over-year growth rate for Network Engineers in Chicago, IL is a leading indicator of market health. Healthy growth at a steady pace — enough to support mobility but not so fast that compensation is racing ahead of credentials. For side-by-side comparisons, try the full city ranking for Network Engineers or the Illinois state overview.
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.