Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Boston, MA vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Boston, MA
$123,203
/ year
+29%
difference
Philadelphia, PA
$95,530
/ year
Bottom line: Philadelphia offers better purchasing power despite Boston paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
Philadelphia
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$123,203✓ higher
$95,530
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$79,675✓ higher
$61,779
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$190,512✓ higher
$147,720
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$85,073✓ higher
$68,372
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$88,002
$88,454✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.08×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$79,675✓ higher
$61,779
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$190,512✓ higher
$147,720

What if you move from Boston to Philadelphia?

Gross salary change
$27,673
29% decrease
Take-home change
$16,701
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$452
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$123,203
P10: $79,675Median: $123,203P90: $190,512
Philadelphia, PA$95,530
P10: $61,779Median: $95,530P90: $147,720

More Systems Administrator salary comparisons

Boston vs New YorkBoston vs Los AngelesBoston vs ChicagoBoston vs HoustonBoston vs PhoenixBoston vs San AntonioAll Systems Administrator salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Systems Administrator salary in Boston, MA is $123,203/yr compared to $95,530/yr in Philadelphia, PA. Boston pays 29% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Boston salary has the purchasing power of $88,002/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 Boston vs Philadelphia?

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Boston, MA takes home approximately $85,073/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.