Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Denver, CO vs Atlanta, GA

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

Denver, CO
$103,539
/ year
+8%
difference
Atlanta, GA
$96,063
/ year
Bottom line: Atlanta offers better purchasing power despite Denver paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Denver
Atlanta
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$103,539✓ higher
$96,063
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$66,958✓ higher
$62,123
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$160,105✓ higher
$148,544
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$73,205✓ higher
$68,694
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$90,824
$91,489✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.14×
1.05×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$66,958✓ higher
$62,123
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$160,105✓ higher
$148,544

What if you move from Denver to Atlanta?

Gross salary change
$7,476
8% decrease
Take-home change
$4,511
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$665
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

Denver, CO$103,539
P10: $66,958Median: $103,539P90: $160,105
Atlanta, GA$96,063
P10: $62,123Median: $96,063P90: $148,544

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Systems Administrator salary in Denver, CO is $103,539/yr compared to $96,063/yr in Atlanta, GA. Denver pays 8% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Denver salary has the purchasing power of $90,824/yr in a median-cost city, vs $91,489/yr for Atlanta. Atlanta offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Denver, CO takes home approximately $73,205/yr, vs $68,694/yr in Atlanta, GA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.