Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: San Diego, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators in San Diego, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$102,000 vs $108,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$67,105 vs $66,667
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$56,239 vs $58,520
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $102,000 | $108,000▲ | -$6,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,540 | $83,160▲ | -$4,620 |
| 75th Percentile | $130,560 | $138,240▲ | -$7,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $163,200 | $172,800▲ | -$9,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $67,105▲ | $66,667 | +$438 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $85,483 | $94,802▲ | -$9,319 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $56,239 | $58,520▲ | -$2,281 |
| Total Employment | 19,200 | 33,600 | -14,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $6,000 more (median: $102,000 vs $108,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($67,105 vs $66,667 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (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.