Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: Pittsburgh, PA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators in Pittsburgh, PA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$77,000 vs $108,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$85,556 vs $66,667
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$76,627 vs $58,520
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $77,000 | $108,000▲ | -$31,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,290 | $83,160▲ | -$23,870 |
| 75th Percentile | $98,560 | $138,240▲ | -$39,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $123,200 | $172,800▲ | -$49,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 162 | -72 |
| State Income Tax | 3.07%▲ | 5% | -1.9300000000000002% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $85,556▲ | $66,667 | +$18,889 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $68,964 | $94,802▲ | -$25,838 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $76,627▲ | $58,520 | +$18,107 |
| Total Employment | 11,200 | 33,600 | -22,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Pittsburgh, PA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $31,000 more (median: $77,000 vs $108,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 162), Pittsburgh, PA provides better purchasing power ($85,556 vs $66,667 equivalent). Pittsburgh, PA has the lower state tax rate (3.07% vs 5%).
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.