Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: Richmond, VA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators in Richmond, VA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$80,000 vs $108,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$79,208 vs $66,667
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$68,980 vs $58,520
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $80,000 | $108,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $61,600 | $83,160▲ | -$21,560 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,400 | $138,240▲ | -$35,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,000 | $172,800▲ | -$44,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 162 | -61 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 5%▲ | +0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $79,208▲ | $66,667 | +$12,541 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $69,670 | $94,802▲ | -$25,132 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $68,980▲ | $58,520 | +$10,460 |
| Total Employment | 11,200 | 33,600 | -22,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $28,000 more (median: $80,000 vs $108,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 162), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($79,208 vs $66,667 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 5.75%).
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.