Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Boston, MA vs Washington DC, DC

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

Boston, MA
$115,019
/ year
-7%
difference
Washington DC, DC
$123,789
/ year
Bottom line: Washington DC wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
Washington DC
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$115,019
$123,789✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$74,382
$80,054✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$177,857
$191,418✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$80,133
$85,426✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$82,156
$87,175✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×✓ lower
1.42×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$74,382
$80,054✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$177,857
$191,418✓ higher

What if you move from Boston to Washington DC?

Gross salary change
+$8,770
7% increase
Take-home change
+$5,293
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$5,019
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
Washington DC, DC$123,789
P10: $80,054Median: $123,789P90: $191,418

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Systems Administrator earn more in Boston or Washington DC?

The median Systems Administrator salary in Boston, MA is $115,019/yr compared to $123,789/yr in Washington DC, DC. Washington DC pays 7% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Systems Administrator salary worth more in Boston or Washington DC 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 $87,175/yr for Washington DC. Washington DC offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Boston, MA takes home approximately $80,133/yr, vs $85,426/yr in Washington DC, DC. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.