Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: Boston, MA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators in Boston, MA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$108,000 vs $95,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$66,667 vs $74,219
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$58,520 vs $65,561
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $108,000▲ | $95,000 | +$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,160▲ | $73,150 | +$10,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $138,240▲ | $121,600 | +$16,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $172,800▲ | $152,000 | +$20,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 4.4%▲ | +0.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,667 | $74,219▲ | -$7,552 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $94,802▲ | $83,918 | +$10,884 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,520 | $65,561▲ | -$7,041 |
| Total Employment | 33,600 | 22,400 | +11,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $13,000 more (median: $108,000 vs $95,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($66,667 vs $74,219 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% vs 5%).
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.