Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Denver, CO vs Melbourne

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

Denver, CO
$110,986
/ year
+20%
difference
Melbourne
$92,628
/ 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
Melbourne
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$110,986✓ higher
$92,628
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$71,774✓ higher
$59,902
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$171,620✓ higher
$143,233
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$77,700✓ higher
$62,987
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$97,356✓ higher
$74,102
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.14×✓ lower
1.25×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$71,774
$91,051✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$171,620
$217,714✓ higher

What if you move from Denver to Melbourne?

Gross salary change
$18,358
20% decrease
Take-home change
$14,713
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$23,254
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$110,986
P10: $71,774Median: $110,986P90: $171,620
Melbourne$92,628
P10: $91,051Median: $92,628P90: $217,714

More Systems Administrator salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Systems Administrator salary in Denver, CO is $110,986/yr compared to A$140,795/yr in Melbourne. Denver pays 20% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Denver salary has the purchasing power of $97,356/yr in a median-cost city, vs $74,102/yr for Melbourne. Denver offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Denver, CO takes home approximately $77,700/yr, vs $62,987/yr in Melbourne. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.