Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Chicago, IL vs Atlanta, GA

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

Chicago, IL
$94,791
/ year
+3%
difference
Atlanta, GA
$91,854
/ year
Bottom line: Atlanta offers better purchasing power despite Chicago paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
Atlanta
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$94,791✓ higher
$91,854
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$61,301✓ higher
$59,402
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$146,578✓ higher
$142,036
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$67,926✓ higher
$66,153
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$82,427
$87,480✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×
1.05×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$61,301✓ higher
$59,402
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$146,578✓ higher
$142,036

What if you move from Chicago to Atlanta?

Gross salary change
$2,937
3% decrease
Take-home change
$1,773
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$5,053
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

Chicago, IL$94,791
P10: $61,301Median: $94,791P90: $146,578
Atlanta, GA$91,854
P10: $59,402Median: $91,854P90: $142,036

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Systems Administrator earn more in Chicago or Atlanta?

The median Systems Administrator salary in Chicago, IL is $94,791/yr compared to $91,854/yr in Atlanta, GA. Chicago pays 3% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Chicago salary has the purchasing power of $82,427/yr in a median-cost city, vs $87,480/yr for Atlanta. Atlanta offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $67,926/yr, vs $66,153/yr in Atlanta, GA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.