Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs Denver, CO

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

San Francisco, CA
$132,202
/ year
+19%
difference
Denver, CO
$110,986
/ year
Bottom line: Denver offers better purchasing power despite San Francisco paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
Denver
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$132,202✓ higher
$110,986
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$85,494✓ higher
$71,774
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$204,427✓ higher
$171,620
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$90,503✓ higher
$77,700
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$78,692
$97,356✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.14×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$85,494✓ higher
$71,774
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$204,427✓ higher
$171,620

What if you move from San Francisco to Denver?

Gross salary change
$21,216
19% decrease
Take-home change
$12,803
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$18,664
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

San Francisco, CA$132,202
P10: $85,494Median: $132,202P90: $204,427
Denver, CO$110,986
P10: $71,774Median: $110,986P90: $171,620

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Systems Administrator earn more in San Francisco or Denver?

The median Systems Administrator salary in San Francisco, CA is $132,202/yr compared to $110,986/yr in Denver, CO. San Francisco pays 19% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Systems Administrator salary worth more in San Francisco or Denver after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your San Francisco salary has the purchasing power of $78,692/yr in a median-cost city, vs $97,356/yr for Denver. Denver offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Systems Administrator in San Francisco vs Denver?

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $90,503/yr, vs $77,700/yr in Denver, CO. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.