Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: Washington, DC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators in Washington, DC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$106,000 vs $108,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$69,737 vs $66,667
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$60,249 vs $58,520
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $106,000 | $108,000▲ | -$2,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,620 | $83,160▲ | -$1,540 |
| 75th Percentile | $135,680 | $138,240▲ | -$2,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $169,600 | $172,800▲ | -$3,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 5%▲ | +1.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $69,737▲ | $66,667 | +$3,070 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $91,578 | $94,802▲ | -$3,224 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $60,249▲ | $58,520 | +$1,729 |
| Total Employment | 36,000 | 33,600 | +2,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $2,000 more (median: $106,000 vs $108,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($69,737 vs $66,667 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.5%).
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.