As startup ecosystems evolve, so do compensation trends across different regions.
In the first half of 2024, Midwest cities like Chicago are showing strong competitiveness, closing the gap with tech hubs like SF.
Let’s take a look:
Chicago has some of the highest average salaries for Product and Engineering roles in the Midwest.
With an average salary of $100,389, Design & UX roles are on the rise.
The average salary for Data & Analytics professionals in Chicago stands at $110,781.
Both Chicago and Minneapolis offer salaries at 88% of SF rates, leading the Midwest in startup compensation.
Cleveland and St. Louis aren’t far behind, with salaries reaching 87% and 85% of SF rates.
Cincinnati and Indianapolis saw salary gains of 5.3% and 5.0%.
Despite a slight dip (2%) from 2023, Chicago remains a top destination for tech talent, thanks to its affordability, competitive salaries, and high quality of life.
Chicago consistently leads in housing affordability, with a favorable salary-to-cost-of-living ratio and long-term cost-effectiveness since 1970. (chart below)
While hiring has slowed as companies across the US try to reduce spending, the demand for high-skill tech / data roles remains strong, allowing Chicago to maintain strong momentum.
Chicago is leading the way in return-to-office.
Recently, Chicago saw a peak occupancy of 71.7%, surpassing all other major metros, which highlights our city's efforts in bringing employees back to the office.
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