Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: Denver, CO vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators in Denver, CO and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$95,000 vs $118,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$74,219 vs $63,102
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$65,561 vs $54,312
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $95,000 | $118,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,150 | $90,860▲ | -$17,710 |
| 75th Percentile | $121,600 | $151,040▲ | -$29,440 |
| 90th Percentile | $152,000 | $188,800▲ | -$36,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 187 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4%▲ | 6.85% | -2.4499999999999993% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $74,219▲ | $63,102 | +$11,117 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $83,918 | $101,563▲ | -$17,645 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $65,561▲ | $54,312 | +$11,249 |
| Total Employment | 22,400 | 54,400 | -32,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $23,000 more (median: $95,000 vs $118,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 187), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($74,219 vs $63,102 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% vs 6.85%).
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.