Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Seattle, WA vs Chicago, IL

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

Seattle, WA
$130,156
/ year
+37%
difference
Chicago, IL
$94,791
/ year
Bottom line: Seattle wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Seattle
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$130,156✓ higher
$94,791
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$84,171✓ higher
$61,301
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$201,263✓ higher
$146,578
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$89,269✓ higher
$67,926
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$91,659✓ higher
$82,427
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$84,171✓ higher
$61,301
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$201,263✓ higher
$146,578

What if you move from Seattle to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$35,365
37% decrease
Take-home change
$21,343
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$9,232
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

Seattle, WA$130,156
P10: $84,171Median: $130,156P90: $201,263
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 Seattle or Chicago?

The median Systems Administrator salary in Seattle, WA is $130,156/yr compared to $94,791/yr in Chicago, IL. Seattle pays 37% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Seattle salary has the purchasing power of $91,659/yr in a median-cost city, vs $82,427/yr for Chicago. Seattle offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Systems Administrator in Seattle vs Chicago?

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Seattle, WA takes home approximately $89,269/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.