Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Chicago, IL vs Los Angeles, CA

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

Chicago, IL
$101,593
/ year
-17%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$123,044
/ year
Bottom line: Los Angeles wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$101,593
$123,044✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$65,700
$79,572✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$157,096
$190,266✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$72,031
$84,977✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$88,342
$89,162✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×✓ lower
1.38×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$65,700
$79,572✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$157,096
$190,266✓ higher

What if you move from Chicago to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
+$21,451
17% increase
Take-home change
+$12,946
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$820
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$101,593
P10: $65,700Median: $101,593P90: $157,096
Los Angeles, CA$123,044
P10: $79,572Median: $123,044P90: $190,266

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Systems Administrator earn more in Chicago or Los Angeles?

The median Systems Administrator salary in Chicago, IL is $101,593/yr compared to $123,044/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles pays 17% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Chicago salary has the purchasing power of $88,342/yr in a median-cost city, vs $89,162/yr for Los Angeles. Los Angeles offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $72,031/yr, vs $84,977/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.