Is $95k enough to comfortably survive as a mid-level QA Engineer in Chicago, or am I going to be roommate-dependent forever? I’m trying to transition out of a fully remote role into a hybrid one, and this is the first solid offer I've landed in months. What does a realistic mid-level budget look like in Chicago right now?

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I just saw this question and I have to comment. I have lived in Chicago my entire life. I am currently unemployed and in my 50s. If you have a chance of making $95k, your could live on that. Chicago isn’t cheap but it’s all about the lifestyle you choose to live. To give you some perspective on this, I see so many people who are making 150k and up and wonder how they make that much. There are so many of us, especially my age who are either unemployed or trying to piece a life together. I can’t even imagine ever being blessed enough to be in a salary range like that. I think everyone in here that is making that kind of money needs a reality check. In this economy you need to have a livable salary but in my opinion, anyone who is 150k + needs to be very grateful that you can even get a salary like that. Maybe I am naive, but you could be struggling to find a job where you can’t get more than 95k. I hope this sheds a little light on your situation. God bless and I hope you get to live in Chicago.

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It depends on where you live in Chicago. If you live on the Gold Coast or in Streeterville or River North, then, no, it’s not nearly enough. If you live in the neighborhoods or close in suburbs, then yes, quite comfortably. You have to pick your place. Preferably where you can use public transportation to commute. Also, lifestyle is an issue. If you go out a lot, Chicago can be expensive. If you’re more settled, less so.

Holy cow, no... I make 250k in a cheaper city and it's not enough for me to feel safe. You should have a roommate for as long as you can to save up in this economy.

funny

Well the issue isn't that I am spending 250k a year (it's more like 150k after taxes)... The issue is that we live in such a scary time for tech that anyone can lose their job in a month. Why would you give up a roommate if you don't have to? Save as much as you can, and even if you don't get fired, you still end up benefiting from years of insane saving.

People tend to spend more as they make more, that's a huge mistake.

Engineers aren't a commodity. Each one gets valued individually.

Are you doing a lot of manual testing or automated testing? Software QA is a broad field. Someone who can automate everything has a much broader impact and much more marketable skills.

I've used Claude to fill some testing gaps that Software QA had been doing manually for years. One of the 3 or 4 tasks I'm doing simultaneously these days. If you don't know how to leverage your skills, you better start learning quick.

Big changes are coming to QA. You better keep up.

Absolutely not

Try to negotiate for at least $10-15K more.

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