Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Los Angeles, CA vs Miami, FL

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

Los Angeles, CA
$123,044
/ year
+18%
difference
Miami, FL
$104,596
/ year
Bottom line: Los Angeles wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Los Angeles
Miami
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$123,044โœ“ higher
$104,596
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$79,572โœ“ higher
$67,642
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$190,266โœ“ higher
$161,739
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$84,977โœ“ higher
$73,843
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$89,162โœ“ higher
$87,163
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38ร—
1.20ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$79,572โœ“ higher
$67,642
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$190,266โœ“ higher
$161,739

What if you move from Los Angeles to Miami?

Gross salary change
$18,448
18% decrease
Take-home change
$11,134
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$1,999
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 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

Los Angeles, CA$123,044
P10: $79,572Median: $123,044P90: $190,266
Miami, FL$104,596
P10: $67,642Median: $104,596P90: $161,739

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Systems Administrator earn more in Los Angeles or Miami?

The median Systems Administrator salary in Los Angeles, CA is $123,044/yr compared to $104,596/yr in Miami, FL. Los Angeles pays 18% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Systems Administrator salary worth more in Los Angeles or Miami after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Los Angeles salary has the purchasing power of $89,162/yr in a median-cost city, vs $87,163/yr for Miami. Los Angeles offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Systems Administrator in Los Angeles vs Miami?

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $84,977/yr, vs $73,843/yr in Miami, FL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.