{
    "url": "https://www.spotsalary.com/salary/software-engineer/chicago-us-1840000494",
    "canonical": "https://www.spotsalary.com/salary/software-engineer/chicago-us-1840000494",
    "headline": "Software Engineer Salary in Chicago, United States",
    "description": "Median Software Engineer salary in Chicago, United States is $113.1K per year. Compare P10–P90 salary bands by experience, take-home pay and a five-year outlook.",
    "occupation": {
        "name": "Software Engineer",
        "slug": "software-engineer",
        "family": "technology",
        "soc_code": "15-1252",
        "aliases": [
            "Software Developer",
            "Programmer",
            "Developer"
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    "location": {
        "name": "Chicago, United States",
        "slug": "chicago-us-1840000494",
        "type": "city",
        "iso2": "US",
        "currency": "USD"
    },
    "period": 2026,
    "confidence": 50,
    "status": "published",
    "method": "nearest_neighbor",
    "updated_at": "2026-11-01T03:35:55+00:00",
    "salary_bands": [
        {
            "level": "entry",
            "years_experience": [
                0,
                2
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            "p10": 53988.63,
            "p25": 65557.62,
            "p50": 77126.62,
            "p75": 88695.61,
            "p90": 104120.92,
            "base_share": 95,
            "bonus_share": 5,
            "equity_share": 0
        },
        {
            "level": "mid",
            "years_experience": [
                3,
                5
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            "p10": 76487.05,
            "p25": 86164.29,
            "p50": 113110.98,
            "p75": 136923.09,
            "p90": 166406.17,
            "base_share": 88,
            "bonus_share": 8,
            "equity_share": 4
        },
        {
            "level": "senior",
            "years_experience": [
                6,
                9
            ],
            "p10": 135664.8,
            "p25": 136135.56,
            "p50": 137720.28,
            "p75": 164744.86,
            "p90": 173648.86,
            "base_share": 80,
            "bonus_share": 10,
            "equity_share": 10
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        {
            "level": "executive",
            "years_experience": [
                10,
                15
            ],
            "p10": 221939.99,
            "p25": 269498.56,
            "p50": 317057.14,
            "p75": 364615.7,
            "p90": 428027.13,
            "base_share": 65,
            "bonus_share": 15,
            "equity_share": 20
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    "take_home": {
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        "top_rate": null,
        "method": "progressive",
        "label": "progressive brackets",
        "standard_deduction": 15000,
        "rebate": 0,
        "source": "IRS (2025 single filer federal)",
        "source_url": "https://www.irs.gov/",
        "retrieved_at": "2026-10-23T00:00:00.000000Z",
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        "notes": "2025 federal brackets; excludes FICA and state tax",
        "bands": [
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                "retrieved_at": "2026-10-23T00:00:00.000000Z",
                "verified": true,
                "notes": "2025 federal brackets; excludes FICA and state tax"
            },
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                "level": "senior",
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                "notes": "2025 federal brackets; excludes FICA and state tax"
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                "source": "IRS (2025 single filer federal)",
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                "verified": true,
                "notes": "2025 federal brackets; excludes FICA and state tax"
            }
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        "direction": "growing",
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        "real_growth_pct": 8.8,
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            {
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                "p25": 118153.02,
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                        "name": "Wage growth",
                        "note": "3.6% nominal wage trend",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Role demand trend",
                        "note": "6.0% annual role demand",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Hiring demand",
                        "note": "Demand index 58/100",
                        "weight": "medium",
                        "direction": "up"
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                        "name": "Automation exposure",
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                    {
                        "name": "Real wage growth",
                        "note": "8.8% after 2.8% inflation",
                        "weight": "high",
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                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Scenario growth",
                        "note": "11.6% modelled nominal growth",
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                        "direction": "up"
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            {
                "year": 2027,
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                "p25": 116564.94,
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                        "name": "Inflation (CPI)",
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                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Wage growth",
                        "note": "3.6% nominal wage trend",
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                        "direction": "up"
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                    {
                        "name": "Role demand trend",
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                "year": 2027,
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                "p25": 119741.09,
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                        "name": "Inflation (CPI)",
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                        "name": "Wage growth",
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                    {
                        "name": "Role demand trend",
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                        "name": "Hiring demand",
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                        "name": "Automation exposure",
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                    {
                        "name": "Real wage growth",
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                    {
                        "name": "Scenario growth",
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                "year": 2029,
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                "p25": 145896.65,
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                        "name": "Inflation (CPI)",
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                    {
                        "name": "Wage growth",
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                        "name": "Role demand trend",
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                        "name": "Hiring demand",
                        "note": "Demand index 58/100",
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                        "direction": "up"
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                    {
                        "name": "Automation exposure",
                        "note": "35% exposure",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Real wage growth",
                        "note": "8.8% after 2.8% inflation",
                        "weight": "high",
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                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Scenario growth",
                        "note": "11.6% modelled nominal growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
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                ]
            },
            {
                "year": 2029,
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                "p25": 140092.44,
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                "p75": 161830.92,
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                    {
                        "name": "Inflation (CPI)",
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                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Wage growth",
                        "note": "3.6% nominal wage trend",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Role demand trend",
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                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
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                    {
                        "name": "Hiring demand",
                        "note": "Demand index 58/100",
                        "weight": "medium",
                        "direction": "up"
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                    {
                        "name": "Automation exposure",
                        "note": "35% exposure",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Real wage growth",
                        "note": "8.8% after 2.8% inflation",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Scenario growth",
                        "note": "11.6% modelled nominal growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
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                ]
            },
            {
                "year": 2029,
                "scenario": "optimistic",
                "p25": 151859.01,
                "p50": 163641.17,
                "p75": 175423.34,
                "confidence": 32,
                "drivers": [
                    {
                        "name": "Inflation (CPI)",
                        "note": "2.8% annual price growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Wage growth",
                        "note": "3.6% nominal wage trend",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Role demand trend",
                        "note": "6.0% annual role demand",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Hiring demand",
                        "note": "Demand index 58/100",
                        "weight": "medium",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Automation exposure",
                        "note": "35% exposure",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Real wage growth",
                        "note": "8.8% after 2.8% inflation",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Scenario growth",
                        "note": "11.6% modelled nominal growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
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                ]
            },
            {
                "year": 2031,
                "scenario": "base",
                "p25": 180141.41,
                "p50": 195805.88,
                "p75": 211470.35,
                "confidence": 30,
                "drivers": [
                    {
                        "name": "Inflation (CPI)",
                        "note": "2.8% annual price growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Wage growth",
                        "note": "3.6% nominal wage trend",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Role demand trend",
                        "note": "6.0% annual role demand",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Hiring demand",
                        "note": "Demand index 58/100",
                        "weight": "medium",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Automation exposure",
                        "note": "35% exposure",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Real wage growth",
                        "note": "8.8% after 2.8% inflation",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Scenario growth",
                        "note": "11.6% modelled nominal growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
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                ]
            },
            {
                "year": 2031,
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                "p25": 168356.23,
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                    {
                        "name": "Inflation (CPI)",
                        "note": "2.8% annual price growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Wage growth",
                        "note": "3.6% nominal wage trend",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
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                    {
                        "name": "Role demand trend",
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                    {
                        "name": "Hiring demand",
                        "note": "Demand index 58/100",
                        "weight": "medium",
                        "direction": "up"
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                    {
                        "name": "Automation exposure",
                        "note": "35% exposure",
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                    {
                        "name": "Real wage growth",
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                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
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                    {
                        "name": "Scenario growth",
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                        "weight": "high",
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                ]
            },
            {
                "year": 2031,
                "scenario": "optimistic",
                "p25": 192577.53,
                "p50": 209323.4,
                "p75": 226069.28,
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                "drivers": [
                    {
                        "name": "Inflation (CPI)",
                        "note": "2.8% annual price growth",
                        "weight": "high",
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                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Wage growth",
                        "note": "3.6% nominal wage trend",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Role demand trend",
                        "note": "6.0% annual role demand",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Hiring demand",
                        "note": "Demand index 58/100",
                        "weight": "medium",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Automation exposure",
                        "note": "35% exposure",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Real wage growth",
                        "note": "8.8% after 2.8% inflation",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Scenario growth",
                        "note": "11.6% modelled nominal growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    }
                ]
            }
        ]
    },
    "skills": [
        {
            "skill": "Python",
            "premium_pct": 6,
            "demand": "rising"
        },
        {
            "skill": "SQL",
            "premium_pct": 4,
            "demand": "stable"
        },
        {
            "skill": "AWS",
            "premium_pct": 8,
            "demand": "rising"
        },
        {
            "skill": "React",
            "premium_pct": 5,
            "demand": "rising"
        },
        {
            "skill": "Docker",
            "premium_pct": 4,
            "demand": "stable"
        }
    ],
    "sources": [
        {
            "name": "Sint Maarten",
            "url": null,
            "type": "nearest_donor",
            "tier": "derived"
        }
    ],
    "faqs": [
        {
            "question": "What is the average salary of a Software Engineer in Chicago, United States?",
            "answer": "SpotSalary models a median annual salary of $113.1K for a Software Engineer in Chicago, United States, or about $9,426 per month before tax. The middle 50% of the estimate ranges from $86.2K to $136.9K, with a full P10–P90 range of $76.5K to $166.4K. This is a modelled estimate, not a job offer."
        },
        {
            "question": "How much does an entry-level Software Engineer earn in Chicago, United States?",
            "answer": "The entry-level band for a Software Engineer in Chicago, United States centres on $77.1K per year (P25–P75: $65.6K–$88.7K). Entry-level pay typically covers the first 2 years of experience and depends on company size, skills and responsibilities."
        },
        {
            "question": "How much does a senior or executive Software Engineer earn in Chicago, United States?",
            "answer": "The executive band for a Software Engineer in Chicago, United States has a median of $317.1K per year and a P75 of $364.6K. Senior and executive packages often include a larger bonus and equity component; this benchmark shows the total-compensation split for each level."
        },
        {
            "question": "What is the salary outlook for a Software Engineer in Chicago, United States?",
            "answer": "The outlook is growing. In the base scenario, median pay reaches $195.8K by 2031, about 73.1% above today before inflation and 8.8% per year in real terms after 2.8% inflation. Scenario bands widen over time and are not guarantees."
        },
        {
            "question": "What is the take-home pay for a Software Engineer in Chicago, United States?",
            "answer": "After an effective income tax rate of 14.6%, the mid-level Software Engineer in Chicago, United States takes home about $96,613 per year, or $8,051 per month. The estimate uses imported national tax brackets and does not include social contributions or local levies."
        },
        {
            "question": "How does SpotSalary calculate these salary estimates?",
            "answer": "Estimates are anchored to external market signals — GDP per capita PPP, inflation, wage growth, cost of living, demand and automation exposure — and synthesised with AI. Deterministic validation rejects implausible outputs. This report carries 50% confidence and draws on 7 salary observations."
        }
    ],
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        ],
        "occupation_hub": "https://www.spotsalary.com/occupations/software-engineer",
        "location_hub": "https://www.spotsalary.com/locations/chicago-us-1840000494",
        "all_salaries": "https://www.spotsalary.com/salaries"
    },
    "citation": {
        "plain": "Software Engineer Salary in Chicago, United States. SpotSalary. https://www.spotsalary.com/salary/software-engineer/chicago-us-1840000494",
        "updated_at": "2026-11-01T03:35:55+00:00"
    }
}