Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Los Angeles, CA vs Tokyo

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

Los Angeles, CA
$123,044
/ year
+71%
difference
Tokyo
$72,031
/ 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
Tokyo
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$123,044✓ higher
$72,031
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$79,572✓ higher
$46,582
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$190,266✓ higher
$111,383
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$84,977✓ higher
$52,583
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$89,162✓ higher
$53,356
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38×
1.35×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$79,572
$6,894,136✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$190,266
$16,484,684✓ higher

What if you move from Los Angeles to Tokyo?

Gross salary change
$51,013
71% decrease
Take-home change
$32,394
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$35,806
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
Tokyo$72,031
P10: $6,894,136Median: $72,031P90: $16,484,684

More Systems Administrator salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Systems Administrator salary in Los Angeles, CA is $123,044/yr compared to ¥10,660,588/yr in Tokyo. Los Angeles pays 71% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Systems Administrator salary worth more in Los Angeles or Tokyo 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 $53,356/yr for Tokyo. Los Angeles offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $84,977/yr, vs $52,583/yr in Tokyo. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.