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