Software Developers, Chicago
$134,380
BLS OEWS median annual wage in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN. Middle half of wages roughly $104,530 to $167,650.
BLS OEWS median, May 2025, as of May 15, 2026. BEA Regional Price Parity 2024. Disclaimer
- vs US median
- −1.2%
- US median
- $135,980
- Metro RPP
- 103.6
- Middle half
- $104,530 to $167,650
- OEWS employment
- 40,370
- SOC
- 15-1252
Software Developers in Chicago pay a median $134,380 (May 2025), 1.2% below the US median of $135,980. At local prices (RPP 103.6), that median buys about what $129,710 buys at US-average prices.
Purchasing power
$134,380 in Chicago buys about what $129,710 buys at US-average prices (BEA RPP 103.6, 2024). Housing (rents) RPP is 112 vs all-items 103.6 (US = 100, 2024).
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Software Developers in nearby metros
| Metro | Median | Middle half | RPP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $134,380 | $104,530 to $167,650 | 103.6 |
| Phoenix | $131,750 | $104,230 to $163,370 | 103.3 |
| San Francisco | $186,640 | $163,500 to $219,670 | 115.6 |
| Tulsa | $108,730 | $87,570 to $133,590 | 89.2 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 where published for the CBSA.
FAQ
- What is the median salary for Software Developers in Chicago?
- According to BLS OEWS May 2025, the median annual wage for Software Developers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $134,380.
- How does Chicago pay compare to the US median for Software Developers?
- Local median pay is 1.2% below the national OEWS median of $135,980.
- How does cost of living change what that wage buys?
- BEA RPP for Chicago is 103.6 (US = 100, 2024). The local median of $134,380 has about the same purchasing power as $129,710 at US-average prices.
- How current is this data?
- Wages are BLS OEWS May 2025. Price levels use BEA Regional Price Parities for 2024. See methodology for source details.
What this covers
Includes
- BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, goods, housing rents, other services)
- BLS OEWS median wages, percentile bands, and employment where published
- Purchasing-power math: salary × (destination RPP ÷ origin RPP)
Does not include
- Federal, state, or local income taxes
- Childcare, healthcare premiums, or leave benefits
- Job openings. OEWS employment is a published stock estimate, not hiring demand
Median wages are published BLS OEWS metro estimates; price levels use BEA Regional Price Parities. See methodology and disclaimer.