Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Chicago, IL vs San Diego, CA

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

Chicago, IL
$101,593
/ year
-13%
difference
San Diego, CA
$116,480
/ year
Bottom line: San Diego wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
San Diego
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$101,593
$116,480✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$65,700
$75,327✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$157,096
$180,116✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$72,031
$81,015✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$88,342
$91,000✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×✓ lower
1.28×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$65,700
$75,327✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$157,096
$180,116✓ higher

What if you move from Chicago to San Diego?

Gross salary change
+$14,887
13% increase
Take-home change
+$8,984
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$2,658
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
San Diego, CA$116,480
P10: $75,327Median: $116,480P90: $180,116

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Systems Administrator earn more in Chicago or San Diego?

The median Systems Administrator salary in Chicago, IL is $101,593/yr compared to $116,480/yr in San Diego, CA. San Diego pays 13% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Systems Administrator salary worth more in Chicago or San Diego 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 $91,000/yr for San Diego. San Diego offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $72,031/yr, vs $81,015/yr in San Diego, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.