Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator Salary:
Toronto vs Ottawa

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

Toronto
$87,028
/ year
+8%
difference
Ottawa
$80,736
/ year
Bottom line: Ottawa offers better purchasing power despite Toronto paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Toronto
Ottawa
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$87,028✓ higher
$80,736
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$56,281✓ higher
$52,212
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$134,573✓ higher
$124,844
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$59,179✓ higher
$54,900
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$69,622
$74,756✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.25×
1.08×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$76,542✓ higher
$71,008
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$183,019✓ higher
$169,788

What if you move from Toronto to Ottawa?

Gross salary change
$6,292
8% decrease
Take-home change
$4,279
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$5,134
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

Toronto$87,028
P10: $76,542Median: $87,028P90: $183,019
Ottawa$80,736
P10: $71,008Median: $80,736P90: $169,788

More Systems Administrator salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Systems Administrator earn more in Toronto or Ottawa?

The median Systems Administrator salary in Toronto is CA$118,358/yr compared to CA$109,801/yr in Ottawa. Toronto pays 8% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Systems Administrator salary worth more in Toronto or Ottawa 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 $74,756/yr for Ottawa. Ottawa offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Systems Administrator in Toronto vs Ottawa?

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in Toronto takes home approximately $59,179/yr, vs $54,900/yr in Ottawa. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.