Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Atlanta, GA vs Chicago, IL

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

Atlanta, GA
$96,063
/ year
-5%
difference
Chicago, IL
$101,593
/ year
Bottom line: Atlanta offers better purchasing power (your money goes further) even if gross salary differs. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Atlanta
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$96,063
$101,593✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$62,123
$65,700✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$148,544
$157,096✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$68,694
$72,031✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$91,489✓ higher
$88,342
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.05×✓ lower
1.15×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$62,123
$65,700✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$148,544
$157,096✓ higher

What if you move from Atlanta to Chicago?

Gross salary change
+$5,530
5% increase
Take-home change
+$3,337
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$3,147
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00×). Full methodology →

Salary Range Comparison

Atlanta, GA$96,063
P10: $62,123Median: $96,063P90: $148,544
Chicago, IL$101,593
P10: $65,700Median: $101,593P90: $157,096

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Systems Administrator earn more in Atlanta or Chicago?

The median Systems Administrator salary in Atlanta, GA is $96,063/yr compared to $101,593/yr in Chicago, IL. Chicago pays 5% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Systems Administrator salary worth more in Atlanta or Chicago after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Atlanta salary has the purchasing power of $91,489/yr in a median-cost city, vs $88,342/yr for Chicago. Atlanta offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Systems Administrator in Atlanta vs Chicago?

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Atlanta, GA takes home approximately $68,694/yr, vs $72,031/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.