Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators in Salt Lake City, UT and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$84,000 vs $108,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$75,000 vs $66,667
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$66,078 vs $58,520
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $84,000 | $108,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,680 | $83,160▲ | -$18,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $107,520 | $138,240▲ | -$30,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $134,400 | $172,800▲ | -$38,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 162 | -50 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65%▲ | 5% | -0.34999999999999964% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $75,000▲ | $66,667 | +$8,333 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $74,007 | $94,802▲ | -$20,795 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $66,078▲ | $58,520 | +$7,558 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 33,600 | -19,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $24,000 more (median: $84,000 vs $108,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 162), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($75,000 vs $66,667 equivalent). Salt Lake City, UT has the lower state tax rate (4.65% 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.