Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Seattle, WA vs Los Angeles, CA

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

Seattle, WA
$130,156
/ year
+33%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$97,722
/ 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
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$130,156✓ higher
$97,722
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$84,171✓ higher
$63,196
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$201,263✓ higher
$151,110
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$89,269✓ higher
$69,695
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$91,659✓ higher
$70,813
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×
1.38×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$84,171✓ higher
$63,196
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$201,263✓ higher
$151,110

What if you move from Seattle to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
$32,434
33% decrease
Take-home change
$19,574
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$20,846
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
Los Angeles, CA$97,722
P10: $63,196Median: $97,722P90: $151,110

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Systems Administrator earn more in Seattle or Los Angeles?

The median Systems Administrator salary in Seattle, WA is $130,156/yr compared to $97,722/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Seattle pays 33% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Systems Administrator salary worth more in Seattle or Los Angeles 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 $70,813/yr for Los Angeles. Seattle offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Seattle, WA takes home approximately $89,269/yr, vs $69,695/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.