Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators in San Francisco, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$122,000 vs $98,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$65,591 vs $79,032
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$54,970 vs $73,026
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $122,000▲ | $98,000 | +$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $93,940▲ | $75,460 | +$18,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $156,160▲ | $125,440 | +$30,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $195,200▲ | $156,800 | +$38,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 124 | +62 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $65,591 | $79,032▲ | -$13,441 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $102,244▲ | $90,552 | +$11,692 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $54,970 | $73,026▲ | -$18,056 |
| Total Employment | 41,600 | 30,400 | +11,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $24,000 more (median: $122,000 vs $98,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($65,591 vs $79,032 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.