Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Toronto vs Denver, CO

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

Toronto
$87,028
/ year
-16%
difference
Denver, CO
$103,539
/ year
Bottom line: Denver wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Toronto
Denver
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$87,028
$103,539โœ“ higher
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$56,281
$66,958โœ“ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$134,573
$160,105โœ“ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$59,179
$73,205โœ“ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$69,622
$90,824โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.25ร—
1.14ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$76,542โœ“ higher
$66,958
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$183,019โœ“ higher
$160,105

What if you move from Toronto to Denver?

Gross salary change
+$16,511
16% increase
Take-home change
+$14,026
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$21,202
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 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

Toronto$87,028
P10: $76,542Median: $87,028P90: $183,019
Denver, CO$103,539
P10: $66,958Median: $103,539P90: $160,105

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Systems Administrator earn more in Toronto or Denver?

The median Systems Administrator salary in Toronto is CA$118,358/yr compared to $103,539/yr in Denver, CO. Denver pays 16% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Systems Administrator salary worth more in Toronto or Denver after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Toronto salary has the purchasing power of $69,622/yr in a median-cost city, vs $90,824/yr for Denver. Denver offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Systems Administrator in Toronto vs Denver?

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Toronto takes home approximately $59,179/yr, vs $73,205/yr in Denver, CO. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.