Computer Systems Analyst Salary in Chicago, IL
Computer Systems Analysts in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $103,490 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $76,657 take-home, or $6,388 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median computer systems analyst salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,938
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,416
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,501
- Illinois income tax$4,978
- Take-home pay$76,657
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Computer Systems Analyst pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,860 | $29.74 | $48,967 | $4,081 |
| 25th percentile | $81,030 | $38.96 | $61,968 | $5,164 |
| Median (50th) | $103,490 | $49.75 | $76,657 | $6,388 |
| 75th percentile | $129,960 | $62.48 | $93,805 | $7,817 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $151,490 | $72.83 | $107,455 | $8,955 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $103,490 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median computer systems analyst's $76,657 take-home pay has the buying power of $73,997 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Computer Systems Analyst jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.97).
Best-paying cities for computer systems analysts, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #40 of 42 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $157,140 | $106,244 | $96,215 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $133,690 | $102,643 | $92,361 |
| 3 | Dallas, TX | $122,520 | $95,008 | $92,161 |
| 4 | Houston, TX | $113,440 | $88,635 | $89,867 |
| 5 | Denver, CO | $127,880 | $93,754 | $88,629 |
| 6 | Atlanta, GA | $119,090 | $87,052 | $87,001 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | $129,180 | $93,322 | $86,197 |
| 8 | Columbus, OH | $107,230 | $82,100 | $85,996 |
| 40 | Chicago, IL | $103,490 | $76,657 | $73,997 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 42 metros →
About the job: computer systems analysts
Analyze science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems to develop and implement solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Perform systems management and integration functions, improve existing computer systems, and review computer system capabilities, workflow, and schedule limitations. May analyze or recommend commercially available software.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +7.9% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer systems analyst make in Chicago, IL?
The median computer systems analyst salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $103,490 a year, or about $49.75 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $81,030 and $129,960.
What is a computer systems analyst’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $103,490 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $76,657 a year ($6,388 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,978 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a computer systems analyst?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $105,850. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $73,997 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #40 of 42 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a computer systems analyst afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 24% of a median computer systems analyst’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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