Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs Houston, TX

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

San Francisco, CA
$152,436
/ year
+72%
difference
Houston, TX
$88,608
/ year
Bottom line: San Francisco wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
Houston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$152,436✓ higher
$88,608
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$98,580✓ higher
$57,302
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$235,715✓ higher
$137,017
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$102,715✓ higher
$64,194
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$90,736✓ higher
$90,416
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
0.98×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$98,580✓ higher
$57,302
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$235,715✓ higher
$137,017

What if you move from San Francisco to Houston?

Gross salary change
$63,828
72% decrease
Take-home change
$38,521
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$320
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$152,436
P10: $98,580Median: $152,436P90: $235,715
Houston, TX$88,608
P10: $57,302Median: $88,608P90: $137,017

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Systems Administrator salary in San Francisco, CA is $152,436/yr compared to $88,608/yr in Houston, TX. San Francisco pays 72% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your San Francisco salary has the purchasing power of $90,736/yr in a median-cost city, vs $90,416/yr for Houston. San Francisco offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $102,715/yr, vs $64,194/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.