Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Atlanta, GA vs Phoenix, AZ

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

Atlanta, GA
$96,063
/ year
+11%
difference
Phoenix, AZ
$86,369
/ year
Bottom line: Atlanta wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Atlanta
Phoenix
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$96,063✓ higher
$86,369
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$62,123✓ higher
$55,854
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$148,544✓ higher
$133,554
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$68,694✓ higher
$62,843
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$91,489✓ higher
$89,040
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.05×
0.97×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$62,123✓ higher
$55,854
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$148,544✓ higher
$133,554

What if you move from Atlanta to Phoenix?

Gross salary change
$9,694
11% decrease
Take-home change
$5,851
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$2,449
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
Phoenix, AZ$86,369
P10: $55,854Median: $86,369P90: $133,554

More Systems Administrator salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Systems Administrator salary in Atlanta, GA is $96,063/yr compared to $86,369/yr in Phoenix, AZ. Atlanta pays 11% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Systems Administrator salary worth more in Atlanta or Phoenix 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 $89,040/yr for Phoenix. Atlanta offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Atlanta, GA takes home approximately $68,694/yr, vs $62,843/yr in Phoenix, AZ. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.