Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: El Paso, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators in El Paso, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$62,000 vs $122,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$72,941 vs $65,591
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$67,398 vs $54,970
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $62,000 | $122,000▲ | -$60,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,740 | $93,940▲ | -$46,200 |
| 75th Percentile | $79,360 | $156,160▲ | -$76,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $99,200 | $195,200▲ | -$96,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 186 | -101 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $72,941▲ | $65,591 | +$7,350 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $57,288 | $102,244▲ | -$44,956 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $67,398▲ | $54,970 | +$12,428 |
| Total Employment | 4,800 | 41,600 | -36,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $60,000 more (median: $62,000 vs $122,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 186), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($72,941 vs $65,591 equivalent). El Paso, 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.