Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: Boston, MA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators in Boston, MA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$108,000 vs $122,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$66,667 vs $65,591
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$58,520 vs $54,970
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $108,000 | $122,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,160 | $93,940▲ | -$10,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $138,240 | $156,160▲ | -$17,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $172,800 | $195,200▲ | -$22,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 186 | -24 |
| State Income Tax | 5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,667▲ | $65,591 | +$1,076 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $94,802 | $102,244▲ | -$7,442 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,520▲ | $54,970 | +$3,550 |
| Total Employment | 33,600 | 41,600 | -8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $14,000 more (median: $108,000 vs $122,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 186), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($66,667 vs $65,591 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 9.3%).
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.