Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: Nashville, TN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators in Nashville, TN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$83,000 vs $122,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$75,455 vs $65,591
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$69,720 vs $54,970
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $83,000 | $122,000▲ | -$39,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,910 | $93,940▲ | -$30,030 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,240 | $156,160▲ | -$49,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $132,800 | $195,200▲ | -$62,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 186 | -76 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $75,455▲ | $65,591 | +$9,864 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $76,692 | $102,244▲ | -$25,552 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $69,720▲ | $54,970 | +$14,750 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 41,600 | -27,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $39,000 more (median: $83,000 vs $122,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 186), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($75,455 vs $65,591 equivalent). Nashville, 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.