Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Los Angeles, CA vs Chicago, IL

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

Los Angeles, CA
$97,722
/ year
+3%
difference
Chicago, IL
$94,791
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago offers better purchasing power despite Los Angeles paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Los Angeles
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$97,722✓ higher
$94,791
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$63,196✓ higher
$61,301
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$151,110✓ higher
$146,578
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$69,695✓ higher
$67,926
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$70,813
$82,427✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$63,196✓ higher
$61,301
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$151,110✓ higher
$146,578

What if you move from Los Angeles to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$2,931
3% decrease
Take-home change
$1,769
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$11,614
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

Los Angeles, CA$97,722
P10: $63,196Median: $97,722P90: $151,110
Chicago, IL$94,791
P10: $61,301Median: $94,791P90: $146,578

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Systems Administrator earn more in Los Angeles or Chicago?

The median Systems Administrator salary in Los Angeles, CA is $97,722/yr compared to $94,791/yr in Chicago, IL. Los Angeles pays 3% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Systems Administrator salary worth more in Los Angeles or Chicago after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Los Angeles salary has the purchasing power of $70,813/yr in a median-cost city, vs $82,427/yr for Chicago. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $69,695/yr, vs $67,926/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.