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