Computer Network Support Specialist Salary in Chicago, IL
Computer Network Support Specialists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $73,340 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $56,939 take-home, or $4,745 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median computer network support specialist salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,305
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,547
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,063
- Illinois income tax$3,486
- Take-home pay$56,939
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.
Computer Network Support Specialist pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,670 | $23.88 | $39,776 | $3,315 |
| 25th percentile | $60,880 | $29.27 | $48,228 | $4,019 |
| Median (50th) | $73,340 | $35.26 | $56,939 | $4,745 |
| 75th percentile | $88,550 | $42.57 | $66,886 | $5,574 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,880 | $52.83 | $80,836 | $6,736 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $73,340 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 network support specialist's $56,939 take-home pay has the buying power of $54,963 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 Network Support Specialist jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.12).
Best-paying cities for computer network support specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #47 of 58 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $124,130 | $87,181 | $78,952 |
| 2 | Tulsa, OK | $88,540 | $67,679 | $75,862 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $104,610 | $82,423 | $74,166 |
| 4 | Baltimore, MD | $102,980 | $76,749 | $73,453 |
| 5 | Madison, WI | $90,400 | $69,016 | $70,940 |
| 6 | Las Vegas, NV | $85,790 | $69,183 | $69,035 |
| 7 | Oklahoma City, OK | $79,870 | $61,970 | $68,545 |
| 8 | Columbus, OH | $81,220 | $64,517 | $67,579 |
| 47 | Chicago, IL | $73,340 | $56,939 | $54,963 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 58 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer network support specialist make in Chicago, IL?
The median computer network support specialist salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $73,340 a year, or about $35.26 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $60,880 and $88,550.
What is a computer network support specialist’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $73,340 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $56,939 a year ($4,745 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,486 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a computer network support specialist?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $76,220. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $54,963 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #47 of 58 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a computer network support specialist 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) — 32% of a median computer network support specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
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- Computer Network Architect — $143,800
- Computer and Information Research Scientist — $135,630
- Software Developer — $134,380
- Information Security Analyst — $125,310
- Actuary — $113,730
- Database Administrator — $109,680
- Data Scientist — $107,640
- Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester — $105,580
- Computer Systems Analyst — $103,490
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $103,170
- Computer Occupations, All Other — $101,660