Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Denver, CO vs Chicago, IL

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

Denver, CO
$103,539
/ year
+2%
difference
Chicago, IL
$101,593
/ year
Bottom line: Denver wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Denver
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$103,539✓ higher
$101,593
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$66,958✓ higher
$65,700
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$160,105✓ higher
$157,096
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$73,205✓ higher
$72,031
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$90,824✓ higher
$88,342
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.14×✓ lower
1.15×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$66,958✓ higher
$65,700
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$160,105✓ higher
$157,096

What if you move from Denver to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$1,946
2% decrease
Take-home change
$1,174
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$2,482
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
Chicago, IL$101,593
P10: $65,700Median: $101,593P90: $157,096

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Systems Administrator salary in Denver, CO is $103,539/yr compared to $101,593/yr in Chicago, IL. Denver pays 2% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Systems Administrator salary worth more in Denver or Chicago 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 $88,342/yr for Chicago. Denver offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Denver, CO takes home approximately $73,205/yr, vs $72,031/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.