Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Austin, TX vs Chicago, IL

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

Austin, TX
$98,321
/ year
+4%
difference
Chicago, IL
$94,791
/ year
Bottom line: Austin wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Austin
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$98,321✓ higher
$94,791
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$63,584✓ higher
$61,301
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$152,036✓ higher
$146,578
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$70,056✓ higher
$67,926
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$87,787✓ higher
$82,427
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×✓ lower
1.15×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$63,584✓ higher
$61,301
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$152,036✓ higher
$146,578

What if you move from Austin to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$3,530
4% decrease
Take-home change
$2,130
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$5,360
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
Chicago, IL$94,791
P10: $61,301Median: $94,791P90: $146,578

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Systems Administrator salary in Austin, TX is $98,321/yr compared to $94,791/yr in Chicago, IL. Austin pays 4% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Systems Administrator salary worth more in Austin or Chicago 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 $82,427/yr for Chicago. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Austin, TX takes home approximately $70,056/yr, vs $67,926/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.