Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Austin, TX vs San Antonio, TX

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

Austin, TX
$98,585
/ year
+26%
difference
San Antonio, TX
$78,424
/ year
Bottom line: San Antonio offers better purchasing power despite Austin paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Austin
San Antonio
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$98,585✓ higher
$78,424
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$63,754✓ higher
$50,716
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$152,444✓ higher
$121,269
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$70,216✓ higher
$58,048
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$88,022
$89,118✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×
0.88×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$63,754✓ higher
$50,716
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$152,444✓ higher
$121,269

What if you move from Austin to San Antonio?

Gross salary change
$20,161
26% decrease
Take-home change
$12,168
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$1,096
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
San Antonio, TX$78,424
P10: $50,716Median: $78,424P90: $121,269

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Systems Administrator earn more in Austin or San Antonio?

The median Systems Administrator salary in Austin, TX is $98,585/yr compared to $78,424/yr in San Antonio, TX. Austin pays 26% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Systems Administrator salary worth more in Austin or San Antonio 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 $89,118/yr for San Antonio. San Antonio offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Austin, TX takes home approximately $70,216/yr, vs $58,048/yr in San Antonio, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.