Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: Austin, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators in Austin, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$98,000 vs $122,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$79,032 vs $65,591
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$73,026 vs $54,970
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $98,000 | $122,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $75,460 | $93,940▲ | -$18,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $125,440 | $156,160▲ | -$30,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $156,800 | $195,200▲ | -$38,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 186 | -62 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $79,032▲ | $65,591 | +$13,441 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $90,552 | $102,244▲ | -$11,692 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $73,026▲ | $54,970 | +$18,056 |
| Total Employment | 30,400 | 41,600 | -11,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $24,000 more (median: $98,000 vs $122,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 186), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($79,032 vs $65,591 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.