Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Denver, CO vs San Antonio, TX

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

Denver, CO
$103,539
/ year
+32%
difference
San Antonio, TX
$78,424
/ 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
San Antonio
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$103,539✓ higher
$78,424
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$66,958✓ higher
$50,716
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$160,105✓ higher
$121,269
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$73,205✓ higher
$58,048
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$90,824✓ higher
$89,118
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.14×
0.88×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$66,958✓ higher
$50,716
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$160,105✓ higher
$121,269

What if you move from Denver to San Antonio?

Gross salary change
$25,115
32% decrease
Take-home change
$15,157
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$1,706
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
San Antonio, TX$78,424
P10: $50,716Median: $78,424P90: $121,269

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Systems Administrator earn more in Denver or San Antonio?

The median Systems Administrator salary in Denver, CO is $103,539/yr compared to $78,424/yr in San Antonio, TX. Denver pays 32% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Systems Administrator salary worth more in Denver or San Antonio 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 $89,118/yr for San Antonio. Denver offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Denver, CO takes home approximately $73,205/yr, vs $58,048/yr in San Antonio, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.