Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Los Angeles, CA vs Washington DC, DC

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

Los Angeles, CA
$123,044
/ year
-2%
difference
Washington DC, DC
$126,098
/ year
Bottom line: Los Angeles offers better purchasing power (your money goes further) even if gross salary differs. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Los Angeles
Washington DC
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$123,044
$126,098✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$79,572
$81,547✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$190,266
$194,988✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$84,977
$86,820✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$89,162✓ higher
$88,801
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38×✓ lower
1.42×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$79,572
$81,547✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$190,266
$194,988✓ higher

What if you move from Los Angeles to Washington DC?

Gross salary change
+$3,054
2% increase
Take-home change
+$1,843
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$361
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
Washington DC, DC$126,098
P10: $81,547Median: $126,098P90: $194,988

More Systems Administrator salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Systems Administrator salary in Los Angeles, CA is $123,044/yr compared to $126,098/yr in Washington DC, DC. Washington DC pays 2% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Systems Administrator salary worth more in Los Angeles or Washington DC 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 $88,801/yr for Washington DC. Los Angeles offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $84,977/yr, vs $86,820/yr in Washington DC, DC. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.