Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
New York, NY vs Philadelphia, PA

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

New York, NY
$130,768
/ year
+37%
difference
Philadelphia, PA
$95,530
/ year
Bottom line: New York wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
New York
Philadelphia
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$130,768✓ higher
$95,530
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$84,567✓ higher
$61,779
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$202,210✓ higher
$147,720
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$89,638✓ higher
$68,372
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$90,185✓ higher
$88,454
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.45×
1.08×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$84,567✓ higher
$61,779
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$202,210✓ higher
$147,720

What if you move from New York to Philadelphia?

Gross salary change
$35,238
37% decrease
Take-home change
$21,266
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$1,731
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$130,768
P10: $84,567Median: $130,768P90: $202,210
Philadelphia, PA$95,530
P10: $61,779Median: $95,530P90: $147,720

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Systems Administrator earn more in New York or Philadelphia?

The median Systems Administrator salary in New York, NY is $130,768/yr compared to $95,530/yr in Philadelphia, PA. New York pays 37% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your New York salary has the purchasing power of $90,185/yr in a median-cost city, vs $88,454/yr for Philadelphia. New York offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Systems Administrator in New York vs Philadelphia?

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in New York, NY takes home approximately $89,638/yr, vs $68,372/yr in Philadelphia, PA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.