Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: Memphis, TN vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators in Memphis, TN and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$66,000 vs $119,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$79,518 vs $73,457
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$73,475 vs $67,874
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $66,000 | $119,000▲ | -$53,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,820 | $91,630▲ | -$40,810 |
| 75th Percentile | $84,480 | $152,320▲ | -$67,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $105,600 | $190,400▲ | -$84,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 162 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $79,518▲ | $73,457 | +$6,061 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,984 | $109,956▲ | -$48,972 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $73,475▲ | $67,874 | +$5,601 |
| Total Employment | 6,400 | 46,400 | -40,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $53,000 more (median: $66,000 vs $119,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 162), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($79,518 vs $73,457 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.