Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: Atlanta, GA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators in Atlanta, GA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$87,000 vs $108,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Atlanta, GA
$80,556 vs $66,667
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Atlanta, GA
$70,347 vs $58,520
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $87,000 | $108,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,990 | $83,160▲ | -$16,170 |
| 75th Percentile | $111,360 | $138,240▲ | -$26,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $139,200 | $172,800▲ | -$33,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 162 | -54 |
| State Income Tax | 5.49% | 5%▲ | +0.4900000000000002% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $80,556▲ | $66,667 | +$13,889 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $75,975 | $94,802▲ | -$18,827 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $70,347▲ | $58,520 | +$11,827 |
| Total Employment | 24,000 | 33,600 | -9,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Atlanta, GA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $21,000 more (median: $87,000 vs $108,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 108 vs 162), Atlanta, GA provides better purchasing power ($80,556 vs $66,667 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 5.49%).
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.