Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Boston, MA vs Chicago, IL

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

Boston, MA
$115,019
/ year
+21%
difference
Chicago, IL
$94,791
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago offers better purchasing power despite Boston paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$115,019✓ higher
$94,791
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$74,382✓ higher
$61,301
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$177,857✓ higher
$146,578
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$80,133✓ higher
$67,926
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$82,156
$82,427✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$74,382✓ higher
$61,301
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$177,857✓ higher
$146,578

What if you move from Boston to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$20,228
21% decrease
Take-home change
$12,207
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$271
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

Boston, MA$115,019
P10: $74,382Median: $115,019P90: $177,857
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 Boston or Chicago?

The median Systems Administrator salary in Boston, MA is $115,019/yr compared to $94,791/yr in Chicago, IL. Boston pays 21% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Boston salary has the purchasing power of $82,156/yr in a median-cost city, vs $82,427/yr for Chicago. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Boston, MA takes home approximately $80,133/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.