Platform Engineer Salary in Chicago, IL
Annual base compensation · May 2026 · BLS OES Survey Data
$145,000
▲ 5.5% YOY
Compensation Distribution
$85,000
10th Pct.
Junior
$110,000
25th Pct.
Entry-level
$145,000
50th Pct.
Median
$185,000
75th Pct.
Senior
$230,000
90th Pct.
Top earner
Open Positions
Find active Platform Engineer roles in Chicago
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Platform Engineer salary in Chicago?+
The median Platform Engineer salary in Chicago, IL is $145,000 per year as of May 2026. The middle 50% of earners fall between $110,000 and $185,000.
What is the entry-level Platform Engineer salary in Chicago?+
Entry-level Platform Engineer positions in Chicago typically start around $110,000 per year (25th percentile). With 2–4 years of experience, compensation climbs toward the market median of $145,000.
What do senior Platform Engineers earn in Chicago?+
Senior Platform Engineers in Chicago earn $185,000 at the 75th percentile and up to $230,000 at the 90th percentile, reflecting 6+ years of experience and management responsibilities.
How has the Platform Engineer market changed in Chicago?+
Year-over-year salary growth for Platform Engineers in Chicago stands at 5.5% as of May 2026, indicating strong demand in the local market.
Platform Engineer — Other Markets
| Market | 25th Pct. | Median | 75th Pct. | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $150,000 | $195,000 | $250,000 | +5.5% |
| New York, NY | $140,000 | $180,000 | $230,000 | +5.5% |
| Seattle, WA | $130,000 | $170,000 | $215,000 | +5.5% |
| Boston, MA | $120,000 | $160,000 | $205,000 | +5.5% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $135,000 | $175,000 | $225,000 | +5.5% |
| San Diego, CA | $120,000 | $160,000 | $205,000 | +5.5% |
| Sacramento, CA | $115,000 | $155,000 | $200,000 | +5.5% |
| Washington DC, DC | $125,000 | $165,000 | $210,000 | +5.5% |
Chicago — Other Roles
| Role | 25th Pct. | Median | 75th Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | $105,000 | $140,000 | $180,000 |
| Full Stack Developer | $95,000 | $130,000 | $165,000 |
| Frontend Developer | $85,000 | $115,000 | $155,000 |
| Backend Developer | $95,000 | $125,000 | $165,000 |
| iOS Developer | $100,000 | $130,000 | $170,000 |
| Android Developer | $95,000 | $125,000 | $165,000 |