Software Developer Salary in Chicago, IL
Software Developers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $134,380 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $96,608 take-home, or $8,051 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median software developer salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$20,985
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,332
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,949
- Illinois income tax$6,507
- Take-home pay$96,608
Marginal rate: 24% 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 →
Software Developer pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,820 | $40.30 | $63,793 | $5,316 |
| 25th percentile | $104,530 | $50.25 | $77,337 | $6,445 |
| Median (50th) | $134,380 | $64.61 | $96,608 | $8,051 |
| 75th percentile | $167,650 | $80.60 | $117,701 | $9,808 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $203,410 | $97.79 | $141,514 | $11,793 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $134,380 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 software developer's $96,608 take-home pay has the buying power of $93,255 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Software Developer jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.82).
Best-paying cities for software developers, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #55 of 72 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $213,110 | $140,222 | $126,987 |
| 2 | Manchester, NH | $162,090 | $122,055 | $115,520 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $167,280 | $125,602 | $113,019 |
| 4 | Boulder, CO | $164,560 | $117,211 | $111,415 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $166,090 | $116,704 | $107,794 |
| 6 | Bridgeport, CT | $162,650 | $114,828 | $107,453 |
| 7 | San Francisco, CA | $186,640 | $123,413 | $106,747 |
| 8 | Austin, TX | $134,120 | $102,937 | $104,967 |
| 55 | Chicago, IL | $134,380 | $96,608 | $93,255 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 72 metros →
About the job: software developers
Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +10.2% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a software developer make in Chicago, IL?
The median software developer salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $134,380 a year, or about $64.61 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $104,530 and $167,650.
What is a software developer’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $134,380 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $96,608 a year ($8,051 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $6,507 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a software developer?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $135,980. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $93,255 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #55 of 72 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a software developer 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) — 19% of a median software developer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
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- Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $103,170
- Computer Occupations, All Other — $101,660
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