Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: Memphis, TN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators in Memphis, TN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$66,000 vs $122,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$79,518 vs $65,591
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$73,475 vs $54,970
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $66,000 | $122,000▲ | -$56,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,820 | $93,940▲ | -$43,120 |
| 75th Percentile | $84,480 | $156,160▲ | -$71,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $105,600 | $195,200▲ | -$89,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 186 | -103 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $79,518▲ | $65,591 | +$13,927 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,984 | $102,244▲ | -$41,260 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $73,475▲ | $54,970 | +$18,505 |
| Total Employment | 6,400 | 41,600 | -35,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $56,000 more (median: $66,000 vs $122,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 186), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($79,518 vs $65,591 equivalent). Memphis, TN 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.