Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Boston, MA vs San Antonio, TX

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

Boston, MA
$123,203
/ year
+57%
difference
San Antonio, TX
$78,424
/ year
Bottom line: San Antonio offers better purchasing power despite Boston paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
San Antonio
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$123,203✓ higher
$78,424
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$79,675✓ higher
$50,716
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$190,512✓ higher
$121,269
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$85,073✓ higher
$58,048
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$88,002
$89,118✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
0.88×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$79,675✓ higher
$50,716
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$190,512✓ higher
$121,269

What if you move from Boston to San Antonio?

Gross salary change
$44,779
57% decrease
Take-home change
$27,025
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$1,116
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
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 Boston or San Antonio?

The median Systems Administrator salary in Boston, MA is $123,203/yr compared to $78,424/yr in San Antonio, TX. Boston pays 57% more in gross terms.

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

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

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