Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Sydney vs Adelaide

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

Sydney
$96,232
/ year
+25%
difference
Adelaide
$77,209
/ year
Bottom line: Adelaide offers better purchasing power despite Sydney paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Sydney
Adelaide
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$96,232✓ higher
$77,209
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$62,233✓ higher
$49,931
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$148,806✓ higher
$119,390
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$65,438✓ higher
$56,363
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$71,283
$77,209✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.35×
1.00×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$94,594✓ higher
$75,895
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$226,185✓ higher
$181,473

What if you move from Sydney to Adelaide?

Gross salary change
$19,023
25% decrease
Take-home change
$9,075
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$5,926
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

Sydney$96,232
P10: $94,594Median: $96,232P90: $226,185
Adelaide$77,209
P10: $75,895Median: $77,209P90: $181,473

More Systems Administrator salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Systems Administrator earn more in Sydney or Adelaide?

The median Systems Administrator salary in Sydney is A$146,273/yr compared to A$117,358/yr in Adelaide. Sydney pays 25% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Systems Administrator salary worth more in Sydney or Adelaide after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Sydney salary has the purchasing power of $71,283/yr in a median-cost city, vs $77,209/yr for Adelaide. Adelaide offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Systems Administrator in Sydney vs Adelaide?

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Sydney takes home approximately $65,438/yr, vs $56,363/yr in Adelaide. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.