Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Austin, TX vs Boston, MA

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

Austin, TX
$98,321
/ year
-15%
difference
Boston, MA
$115,019
/ year
Bottom line: Austin offers better purchasing power (your money goes further) even if gross salary differs. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Austin
Boston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$98,321
$115,019✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$63,584
$74,382✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$152,036
$177,857✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$70,056
$80,133✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$87,787✓ higher
$82,156
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×✓ lower
1.40×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$63,584
$74,382✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$152,036
$177,857✓ higher

What if you move from Austin to Boston?

Gross salary change
+$16,698
15% increase
Take-home change
+$10,077
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$5,631
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

Austin, TX$98,321
P10: $63,584Median: $98,321P90: $152,036
Boston, MA$115,019
P10: $74,382Median: $115,019P90: $177,857

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Systems Administrator earn more in Austin or Boston?

The median Systems Administrator salary in Austin, TX is $98,321/yr compared to $115,019/yr in Boston, MA. Boston pays 15% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Systems Administrator salary worth more in Austin or Boston after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Austin salary has the purchasing power of $87,787/yr in a median-cost city, vs $82,156/yr for Boston. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Systems Administrator in Austin vs Boston?

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Austin, TX takes home approximately $70,056/yr, vs $80,133/yr in Boston, MA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.