Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Austin, TX vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Austin, TX
$98,585
/ year
+3%
difference
Philadelphia, PA
$95,530
/ year
Bottom line: Philadelphia offers better purchasing power despite Austin paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Austin
Philadelphia
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$98,585✓ higher
$95,530
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$63,754✓ higher
$61,779
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$152,444✓ higher
$147,720
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$70,216✓ higher
$68,372
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$88,022
$88,454✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×
1.08×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$63,754✓ higher
$61,779
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$152,444✓ higher
$147,720

What if you move from Austin to Philadelphia?

Gross salary change
$3,055
3% decrease
Take-home change
$1,844
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$432
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$98,585
P10: $63,754Median: $98,585P90: $152,444
Philadelphia, PA$95,530
P10: $61,779Median: $95,530P90: $147,720

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Systems Administrator salary in Austin, TX is $98,585/yr compared to $95,530/yr in Philadelphia, PA. Austin pays 3% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Austin salary has the purchasing power of $88,022/yr in a median-cost city, vs $88,454/yr for Philadelphia. Philadelphia offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Austin, TX takes home approximately $70,216/yr, vs $68,372/yr in Philadelphia, PA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.