Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: Raleigh, NC vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators in Raleigh, NC and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$87,000 vs $122,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$84,466 vs $65,591
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$74,535 vs $54,970
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $87,000 | $122,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,990 | $93,940▲ | -$26,950 |
| 75th Percentile | $111,360 | $156,160▲ | -$44,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $139,200 | $195,200▲ | -$56,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 186 | -83 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.800000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $84,466▲ | $65,591 | +$18,875 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $76,771 | $102,244▲ | -$25,473 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $74,535▲ | $54,970 | +$19,565 |
| Total Employment | 17,600 | 41,600 | -24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $35,000 more (median: $87,000 vs $122,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 186), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($84,466 vs $65,591 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% vs 9.3%).
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.