Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Toronto vs Montreal

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

Toronto
$87,028
/ year
+24%
difference
Montreal
$70,259
/ year
Bottom line: Toronto wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Toronto
Montreal
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$87,028โœ“ higher
$70,259
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$56,281โœ“ higher
$45,436
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$134,573โœ“ higher
$108,643
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$59,179โœ“ higher
$51,289
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$69,622โœ“ higher
$66,913
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.25ร—
1.05ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$76,542โœ“ higher
$61,793
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$183,019โœ“ higher
$147,754

What if you move from Toronto to Montreal?

Gross salary change
$16,769
24% decrease
Take-home change
$7,890
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$2,709
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
Montreal$70,259
P10: $61,793Median: $70,259P90: $147,754

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Systems Administrator salary in Toronto is CA$118,358/yr compared to CA$95,552/yr in Montreal. Toronto pays 24% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Systems Administrator salary worth more in Toronto or Montreal 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 $66,913/yr for Montreal. Toronto offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Toronto takes home approximately $59,179/yr, vs $51,289/yr in Montreal. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.