Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
New York, NY vs Chicago, IL

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

New York, NY
$108,672
/ year
+15%
difference
Chicago, IL
$94,791
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago offers better purchasing power despite New York paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
New York
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$108,672✓ higher
$94,791
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$70,278✓ higher
$61,301
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$168,042✓ higher
$146,578
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$76,303✓ higher
$67,926
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$74,946
$82,427✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.45×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$70,278✓ higher
$61,301
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$168,042✓ higher
$146,578

What if you move from New York to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$13,881
15% decrease
Take-home change
$8,377
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$7,481
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

New York, NY$108,672
P10: $70,278Median: $108,672P90: $168,042
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 New York or Chicago?

The median Systems Administrator salary in New York, NY is $108,672/yr compared to $94,791/yr in Chicago, IL. New York pays 15% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your New York salary has the purchasing power of $74,946/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 New York vs Chicago?

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in New York, NY takes home approximately $76,303/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.