SDET salary in Chicago, United States
A mid-level SDET in Chicago earns a median of $130k a year gross ($130k), from $110k at p10 to $160k at p90. Chicago pays 1.00× the United States median. About 2.7 million people live in Chicago.
SDET pay by level in Chicago
Gross annual pay in USD. Junior $100k, lead $200k. The bar spans p10 to p90 with the median marked.
| Level | p10 | Median | p90 | Range | Median (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior | $82k | $100k | $120k | $100k | |
| Mid-level | $110k | $130k | $160k | $130k | |
| Senior | $140k | $170k | $200k | $170k | |
| Lead | $160k | $200k | $240k | $200k |
Estimates from posted pay ranges, base pay only: the United States median ($130k) times a 1.00 city factor. Methodology.
From gross to take-home in Chicago
Employers in United States usually quote annual base salary for employees, hourly rates for 1099 and W2 contracts.
A generic estimate for a single mid-level earner, not tax advice.
SDET pay in other United States cities
| City | Pay factor | p10 | Median | p90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | 1.22× | $130k | $160k | $190k |
| San Jose | 1.20× | $130k | $160k | $190k |
| New York | 1.15× | $120k | $150k | $180k |
| Seattle | 1.15× | $120k | $150k | $180k |
| Boston | 1.08× | $120k | $140k | $170k |
| Washington DC | 1.06× | $110k | $140k | $170k |
| Los Angeles | 1.05× | $110k | $140k | $170k |
| San Diego | 1.03× | $110k | $130k | $160k |
Other QA salaries in Chicago
SDET salary in Chicago: FAQ
What is the average SDET salary in Chicago?
The median gross salary for a mid-level SDET in Chicago is $130k a year ($130k). The p10 is $110k and the p90 is $160k. This is an estimate from posted pay ranges, scaled to Chicago with a city factor of 1.00.
How much does a senior SDET make in Chicago?
A senior SDET in Chicago earns a median of $170k, with a range of $140k to $200k. Leads reach $200k and juniors start near $100k.
What is an entry-level SDET salary in Chicago?
A junior SDET in Chicago earns about $100k a year ($100k), between $82k and $120k. Pay rises to $130k at mid-level.
Is Chicago a good-paying city for SDETs in United States?
Chicago ranks 13th of 62 tracked United States cities for this role, at 1.00x the national median of $130k. It sits in the top third.
What is the take-home pay for a SDET in Chicago?
Roughly 72-78% of gross stays after income tax and social contributions for a single mid-level earner: about $94k to $100k a year, or $8,200 a month. This is not tax advice.
What is the hourly rate for a SDET in Chicago?
A $130k gross salary equals about $62 an hour on a 40-hour week ($11k a month gross). Contractors typically quote 20-35% above this to cover leave and benefits.
All figures are gross estimates, not offers or advice.