Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Los Angeles, CA vs San Antonio, TX

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

Los Angeles, CA
$123,044
/ year
+57%
difference
San Antonio, TX
$78,424
/ year
Bottom line: Los Angeles wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Los Angeles
San Antonio
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$123,044✓ higher
$78,424
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$79,572✓ higher
$50,716
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$190,266✓ higher
$121,269
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$84,977✓ higher
$58,048
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$89,162✓ higher
$89,118
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38×
0.88×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$79,572✓ higher
$50,716
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$190,266✓ higher
$121,269

What if you move from Los Angeles to San Antonio?

Gross salary change
$44,620
57% decrease
Take-home change
$26,929
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$44
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$123,044
P10: $79,572Median: $123,044P90: $190,266
San Antonio, TX$78,424
P10: $50,716Median: $78,424P90: $121,269

More Systems Administrator salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Systems Administrator salary in Los Angeles, CA is $123,044/yr compared to $78,424/yr in San Antonio, TX. Los Angeles pays 57% more in gross terms.

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

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

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $84,977/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.