Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: Portland, OR vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators in Portland, OR and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$98,000 vs $108,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$75,385 vs $66,667
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Portland, OR
$63,561 vs $58,520
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $98,000 | $108,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $75,460 | $83,160▲ | -$7,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $125,440 | $138,240▲ | -$12,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $156,800 | $172,800▲ | -$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 162 | -32 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 5%▲ | +3.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $75,385▲ | $66,667 | +$8,718 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $82,629 | $94,802▲ | -$12,173 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $63,561▲ | $58,520 | +$5,041 |
| Total Employment | 16,000 | 33,600 | -17,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $10,000 more (median: $98,000 vs $108,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 162), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($75,385 vs $66,667 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 8.75%).
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.