Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Denver, CO vs Phoenix, AZ

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

Denver, CO
$103,539
/ year
+20%
difference
Phoenix, AZ
$86,369
/ 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
Phoenix
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$103,539✓ higher
$86,369
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$66,958✓ higher
$55,854
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$160,105✓ higher
$133,554
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$73,205✓ higher
$62,843
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$90,824✓ higher
$89,040
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.14×
0.97×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$66,958✓ higher
$55,854
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$160,105✓ higher
$133,554

What if you move from Denver to Phoenix?

Gross salary change
$17,170
20% decrease
Take-home change
$10,362
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$1,784
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
Phoenix, AZ$86,369
P10: $55,854Median: $86,369P90: $133,554

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Systems Administrator salary in Denver, CO is $103,539/yr compared to $86,369/yr in Phoenix, AZ. Denver pays 20% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Systems Administrator salary worth more in Denver or Phoenix 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 $89,040/yr for Phoenix. Denver offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Denver, CO takes home approximately $73,205/yr, vs $62,843/yr in Phoenix, AZ. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.