Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Chicago, IL vs Denver, CO

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

Chicago, IL
$94,791
/ year
-15%
difference
Denver, CO
$110,986
/ year
Bottom line: Denver wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
Denver
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$94,791
$110,986✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$61,301
$71,774✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$146,578
$171,620✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$67,926
$77,700✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$82,427
$97,356✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×
1.14×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$61,301
$71,774✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$146,578
$171,620✓ higher

What if you move from Chicago to Denver?

Gross salary change
+$16,195
15% increase
Take-home change
+$9,774
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$14,929
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
Denver, CO$110,986
P10: $71,774Median: $110,986P90: $171,620

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Systems Administrator salary in Chicago, IL is $94,791/yr compared to $110,986/yr in Denver, CO. Denver pays 15% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Systems Administrator salary worth more in Chicago or Denver 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 $97,356/yr for Denver. Denver offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $67,926/yr, vs $77,700/yr in Denver, CO. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.