Software developer pay in Chicago, IL
Software developers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a typical $134,380 a year. The middle half earn $104,530 to $167,650, and the top 10% earn more than $203,410. About 40,370 people do this job there.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (occupation: Software Developers, SOC 15-1252).
Pay range
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $83,820 |
| 25th percentile | $104,530 |
| Median (typical) | $134,380 |
| 75th percentile | $167,650 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $203,410 |
Typical pay here ranks No. 14 of 50 large metros for software developers before taxes and prices.
After taxes and cost of living
At the typical $134,380, a single filer keeps about $96,600 a year after federal, Social Security, Medicare, and Illinois state income tax. Prices in Chicago are 4% above the US average, so that take-home buys what $93,300 would in a typical US city. That ranks Chicago No. 38 of 50 large metros for software developers after cost of living.
Where software developers’ pay goes furthest
- San Jose, CA$213,110 typical · worth $130k
- Seattle, WA$167,280 typical · worth $113k
- San Francisco, CA$186,640 typical · worth $109k
- Boston, MA$166,090 typical · worth $108k
All 50 metros for software developers →
Where does your salary land?
Add your salary and experience to see your percentile among software developers in Chicago. Free and private. (Different city? Use the main checker.) 30 employers here filed pay above the typical rate in government filings; your check shows how many pay more than you.
Common questions
How much does a software developer make in Chicago, IL?
The typical (median) software developer in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earns $134,380 a year. The middle half earn between $104,530 and $167,650, and the top 10% earn more than $203,410. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
What is a good salary for a software developer in Chicago?
Anything above $134,380 pays more than half of software developers in Chicago. $167,650 or more puts you in the top quarter, and $203,410 in the top 10%. Experience and employer move where you should be in that range.
How much does a software developer in Chicago take home after taxes?
At the typical $134,380, a single filer keeps about $96,600 a year ($8,050 a month) after federal, Social Security, Medicare, Illinois state income tax. With local prices 4% above the US average, that buys what $93,300 would in a typical US city.
Where do software developers get paid the most after cost of living?
Among the 50 largest US metros, typical software developer pay goes furthest after taxes and prices in San Jose, CA, Seattle, WA, San Francisco, CA. Chicago, IL ranks No. 38.
More: Software developer pay in every large metro · Pay for other jobs in Chicago, IL
Local prices: BEA regional price parities, 2024. Updated November 2026.