The number salary sites skip
Where a tech salary goes furthest
The city with the biggest paycheck isn’t always where the pay goes furthest. An information security analyst’s median is $143,640 in Raleigh versus $162,310 in San Francisco — but adjust for what it costs to live there and Raleigh comes out ahead ($146,337 vs $140,391). We take BLS occupation-level metro pay and divide by the BEA regional price level, across 13tech occupations. It’s a price-level comparison, not a take-home promise — and it’s the column nobody selling you a city or a job wants to show.
Software Developers · SOC 15-1252
Software Developers— sorted by cost-adjusted pay
| Metro | Nominal median | Area price level (US=100) | Cost-adjusted pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $213,110 | 110.4 | $192,994 |
| San Francisco, CA | $186,640 | 115.6 | $161,435 |
| Boulder, CO | $164,560 | 105.2 | $156,423 |
| Manchester, NH | $162,090 | 105.7 | $153,412 |
| Boston, MA | $166,090 | 108.3 | $153,409 |
| Bridgeport, CT | $162,650 | 106.9 | $152,203 |
| Seattle, WA | $167,280 | 111.1 | $150,522 |
| New York, NY | $166,830 | 112.6 | $148,210 |
| Rochester, MN | $134,450 | 90.8 | $148,038 |
| Washington, DC | $154,930 | 108.9 | $142,289 |
| Dallas, TX | $133,290 | 103.1 | $129,295 |
San Jose, CA tops the cost-adjusted list ($192,994 adjusted, from a $213,110 median). A reversal: Rochester, MN's $134,450 median is worth more after local prices ($148,038) than Washington, DC's $154,930 ($142,289).
Information Security Analysts · SOC 15-1212
Information Security Analysts— sorted by cost-adjusted pay
| Metro | Nominal median | Area price level (US=100) | Cost-adjusted pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $176,120 | 110.4 | $159,496 |
| Raleigh, NC | $143,640 | 98.2 | $146,337 |
| Seattle, WA | $161,780 | 111.1 | $145,573 |
| San Francisco, CA | $162,310 | 115.6 | $140,391 |
| Huntsville, AL | $130,330 | 93.1 | $140,031 |
| Washington, DC | $148,950 | 108.9 | $136,797 |
| Austin, TX | $134,100 | 98.1 | $136,745 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $129,560 | 95.5 | $135,600 |
| Charlotte, NC | $131,440 | 97.3 | $135,021 |
| Dallas, TX | $133,610 | 103.1 | $129,605 |
| Boston, MA | $136,550 | 108.3 | $126,125 |
| New York, NY | $140,470 | 112.6 | $124,792 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $129,630 | 113.6 | $114,145 |
San Jose, CA tops the cost-adjusted list ($159,496 adjusted, from a $176,120 median). A reversal: Albuquerque, NM's $129,560 median is worth more after local prices ($135,600) than Charlotte, NC's $131,440 ($135,021).
Data Scientists · SOC 15-2051
Data Scientists (data/analytics roles)— sorted by cost-adjusted pay
| Metro | Nominal median | Area price level (US=100) | Cost-adjusted pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $185,080 | 110.4 | $167,610 |
| Seattle, WA | $164,740 | 111.1 | $148,237 |
| San Francisco, CA | $170,110 | 115.6 | $147,137 |
| Charlotte, NC | $132,460 | 97.3 | $136,069 |
| Austin, TX | $127,360 | 98.1 | $129,872 |
| Baltimore, MD | $134,320 | 104.5 | $128,552 |
| Richmond, VA | $122,510 | 97.9 | $125,192 |
| Dallas, TX | $127,750 | 103.1 | $123,921 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $129,780 | 104.8 | $123,810 |
| Washington, DC | $132,200 | 108.9 | $121,414 |
| New York, NY | $135,980 | 112.6 | $120,803 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $129,740 | 113.6 | $114,242 |
San Jose, CA tops the cost-adjusted list ($167,610 adjusted, from a $185,080 median). A reversal: Richmond, VA's $122,510 median is worth more after local prices ($125,192) than Dallas, TX's $127,750 ($123,921).
Computer Occupations, All Other · SOC 15-1299
Cloud & systems engineering (Computer Occupations, All Other)— sorted by cost-adjusted pay
| Metro | Nominal median | Area price level (US=100) | Cost-adjusted pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $184,430 | 110.4 | $167,021 |
| Denver, CO | $160,520 | 105.8 | $151,746 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $144,680 | 100.8 | $143,589 |
| Boulder, CO | $147,590 | 105.2 | $140,292 |
| San Francisco, CA | $161,700 | 115.6 | $139,863 |
| Columbus, OH | $129,940 | 95.5 | $136,107 |
| Austin, TX | $129,470 | 98.1 | $132,023 |
| Charleston, SC | $131,600 | 101.0 | $130,346 |
| Baltimore, MD | $135,600 | 104.5 | $129,777 |
| Dallas, TX | $127,360 | 103.1 | $123,543 |
| New York, NY | $126,910 | 112.6 | $112,746 |
| Atlanta, GA | $108,730 | 100.1 | $108,667 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $109,700 | 113.6 | $96,596 |
San Jose, CA tops the cost-adjusted list ($167,021 adjusted, from a $184,430 median). A reversal: Atlanta, GA's $108,730 median is worth more after local prices ($108,667) than Los Angeles, CA's $109,700 ($96,596).
Computer User Support Specialists · SOC 15-1232
IT support & help desk (Computer User Support Specialists)— sorted by cost-adjusted pay
| Metro | Nominal median | Area price level (US=100) | Cost-adjusted pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento, CA | $106,040 | 106.7 | $99,409 |
| San Jose, CA | $93,590 | 110.4 | $84,756 |
| San Francisco, CA | $89,440 | 115.6 | $77,362 |
| Durham, NC | $71,750 | 97.6 | $73,535 |
| Bridgeport, CT | $78,070 | 106.9 | $73,055 |
| Boston, MA | $77,850 | 108.3 | $71,906 |
| Washington, DC | $77,860 | 108.9 | $71,507 |
| Denver, CO | $75,480 | 105.8 | $71,354 |
| Boulder, CO | $74,380 | 105.2 | $70,702 |
| New York, NY | $75,690 | 112.6 | $67,242 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $75,070 | 113.6 | $66,103 |
| Atlanta, GA | $62,110 | 100.1 | $62,074 |
| Dallas, TX | $60,710 | 103.1 | $58,890 |
| Chicago, IL | $60,730 | 103.6 | $58,623 |
Sacramento, CA tops the cost-adjusted list ($99,409 adjusted, from a $106,040 median). A reversal: Dallas, TX's $60,710 median is worth more after local prices ($58,890) than Chicago, IL's $60,730 ($58,623).
Network and Computer Systems Administrators · SOC 15-1244
Network & systems administrators— sorted by cost-adjusted pay
| Metro | Nominal median | Area price level (US=100) | Cost-adjusted pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $133,360 | 110.4 | $120,772 |
| Baltimore, MD | $122,950 | 104.5 | $117,670 |
| Washington, DC | $125,430 | 108.9 | $115,196 |
| Durham, NC | $110,640 | 97.6 | $113,393 |
| San Francisco, CA | $129,680 | 115.6 | $112,167 |
| Columbus, OH | $105,750 | 95.5 | $110,769 |
| Boston, MA | $116,770 | 108.3 | $107,855 |
| Huntsville, AL | $100,120 | 93.1 | $107,573 |
| Austin, TX | $104,520 | 98.1 | $106,581 |
| New York, NY | $119,390 | 112.6 | $106,065 |
| Dallas, TX | $103,260 | 103.1 | $100,165 |
| Chicago, IL | $103,170 | 103.6 | $99,590 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $106,290 | 113.6 | $93,593 |
San Jose, CA tops the cost-adjusted list ($120,772 adjusted, from a $133,360 median). A reversal: Huntsville, AL's $100,120 median is worth more after local prices ($107,573) than Austin, TX's $104,520 ($106,581).
Computer Systems Analysts · SOC 15-1211
Computer Systems Analysts— sorted by cost-adjusted pay
| Metro | Nominal median | Area price level (US=100) | Cost-adjusted pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $157,140 | 110.4 | $142,307 |
| Providence, RI | $128,580 | 101.8 | $126,340 |
| Denver, CO | $127,880 | 105.8 | $120,890 |
| Portland, OR | $127,360 | 105.4 | $120,811 |
| Seattle, WA | $133,690 | 111.1 | $120,297 |
| Boston, MA | $129,180 | 108.3 | $119,317 |
| Atlanta, GA | $119,090 | 100.1 | $119,021 |
| Dallas, TX | $122,520 | 103.1 | $118,848 |
| Washington, DC | $127,040 | 108.9 | $116,675 |
| New York, NY | $128,340 | 112.6 | $114,016 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $121,560 | 113.6 | $107,039 |
San Jose, CA tops the cost-adjusted list ($142,307 adjusted, from a $157,140 median). A reversal: Atlanta, GA's $119,090 median is worth more after local prices ($119,021) than Dallas, TX's $122,520 ($118,848).
Computer Network Architects · SOC 15-1241
Computer Network Architects— sorted by cost-adjusted pay
| Metro | Nominal median | Area price level (US=100) | Cost-adjusted pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $186,110 | 110.4 | $168,543 |
| Seattle, WA | $172,650 | 111.1 | $155,354 |
| Orlando, FL | $156,560 | 101.4 | $154,371 |
| Baltimore, MD | $160,340 | 104.5 | $153,454 |
| Boulder, CO | $156,360 | 105.2 | $148,628 |
| Boston, MA | $160,650 | 108.3 | $148,385 |
| Washington, DC | $159,820 | 108.9 | $146,780 |
| New York, NY | $163,010 | 112.6 | $144,817 |
| San Francisco, CA | $166,760 | 115.6 | $144,240 |
| Chicago, IL | $143,800 | 103.6 | $138,810 |
| Atlanta, GA | $133,890 | 100.1 | $133,812 |
| Dallas, TX | $137,900 | 103.1 | $133,767 |
| Denver, CO | $139,230 | 105.8 | $131,620 |
San Jose, CA tops the cost-adjusted list ($168,543 adjusted, from a $186,110 median). A reversal: Atlanta, GA's $133,890 median is worth more after local prices ($133,812) than Dallas, TX's $137,900 ($133,767).
Computer and Information Research Scientists · SOC 15-1221
Computer & Information Research Scientists— sorted by cost-adjusted pay
| Metro | Nominal median | Area price level (US=100) | Cost-adjusted pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $218,420 | 110.4 | $197,803 |
| Seattle, WA | $211,270 | 111.1 | $190,106 |
| Boston, MA | $170,510 | 108.3 | $157,492 |
| New York, NY | $170,890 | 112.6 | $151,817 |
| Baltimore, MD | $156,750 | 104.5 | $150,019 |
| San Francisco, CA | $171,440 | 115.6 | $148,288 |
| Washington, DC | $161,090 | 108.9 | $147,946 |
| San Diego, CA | $121,530 | 111.9 | $108,619 |
San Jose, CA tops the cost-adjusted list ($197,803 adjusted, from a $218,420 median). A reversal: Baltimore, MD's $156,750 median is worth more after local prices ($150,019) than San Francisco, CA's $171,440 ($148,288).
Project Management Specialists · SOC 13-1082
Project coordination (Project Management Specialists)— sorted by cost-adjusted pay
| Metro | Nominal median | Area price level (US=100) | Cost-adjusted pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kennewick, WA | $125,940 | 100.1 | $125,841 |
| San Jose, CA | $135,120 | 110.4 | $122,366 |
| Seattle, WA | $130,380 | 111.1 | $117,319 |
| San Francisco, CA | $135,040 | 115.6 | $116,803 |
| Washington, DC | $127,030 | 108.9 | $116,665 |
| Sacramento, CA | $124,350 | 106.7 | $116,574 |
| Boulder, CO | $122,040 | 105.2 | $116,005 |
| New York, NY | $126,660 | 112.6 | $112,524 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $106,730 | 95.5 | $111,705 |
| Houston, TX | $99,510 | 98.6 | $100,893 |
| Dallas, TX | $98,900 | 103.1 | $95,936 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $108,310 | 113.6 | $95,372 |
Kennewick, WA tops the cost-adjusted list ($125,841 adjusted, from a $125,940 median). A reversal: Dallas, TX's $98,900 median is worth more after local prices ($95,936) than Los Angeles, CA's $108,310 ($95,372).
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products · SOC 41-4011
Technology customer success (Sales Representatives, tech/scientific)— sorted by cost-adjusted pay
| Metro | Nominal median | Area price level (US=100) | Cost-adjusted pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $167,630 | 110.4 | $151,807 |
| Kansas City, MO | $130,850 | 92.5 | $141,394 |
| Des Moines, IA | $126,830 | 91.7 | $138,308 |
| Durham, NC | $131,120 | 97.6 | $134,383 |
| Richmond, VA | $129,880 | 97.9 | $132,723 |
| Detroit, MI | $129,070 | 100.3 | $128,687 |
| Denver, CO | $136,100 | 105.8 | $128,661 |
| Charlotte, NC | $124,370 | 97.3 | $127,758 |
| Atlanta, GA | $126,330 | 100.1 | $126,257 |
| New York, NY | $133,690 | 112.6 | $118,769 |
| Seattle, WA | $129,550 | 111.1 | $116,572 |
| Boston, MA | $122,550 | 108.3 | $113,193 |
| Houston, TX | $100,980 | 98.6 | $102,384 |
| Dallas, TX | $99,270 | 103.1 | $96,294 |
| Austin, TX | $83,170 | 98.1 | $84,810 |
San Jose, CA tops the cost-adjusted list ($151,807 adjusted, from a $167,630 median). A reversal: Charlotte, NC's $124,370 median is worth more after local prices ($127,758) than Atlanta, GA's $126,330 ($126,257).
Business Operations Specialists, All Other · SOC 13-1199
Sustainability technology (Business Operations Specialists)— sorted by cost-adjusted pay
| Metro | Nominal median | Area price level (US=100) | Cost-adjusted pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington Park, MD | $136,660 | 100.8 | $135,629 |
| Huntsville, AL | $124,950 | 93.1 | $134,251 |
| Dayton, OH | $102,660 | 92.7 | $110,752 |
| Davenport, IA | $95,140 | 89.1 | $106,804 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $96,100 | 90.4 | $106,296 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $95,620 | 92.0 | $103,960 |
| Springfield, IL | $95,990 | 92.7 | $103,499 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $95,060 | 93.8 | $101,355 |
| Kennewick, WA | $101,380 | 100.1 | $101,300 |
| Washington, DC | $104,770 | 108.9 | $96,222 |
| Seattle, WA | $101,920 | 111.1 | $91,710 |
| New York, NY | $92,120 | 112.6 | $81,839 |
| Dallas, TX | $83,600 | 103.1 | $81,094 |
| Atlanta, GA | $80,020 | 100.1 | $79,974 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $82,750 | 113.6 | $72,865 |
Lexington Park, MD tops the cost-adjusted list ($135,629 adjusted, from a $136,660 median). A reversal: Atlanta, GA's $80,020 median is worth more after local prices ($79,974) than Los Angeles, CA's $82,750 ($72,865).
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers · SOC 49-2022
Field network technician (Telecom Equipment Installers)— sorted by cost-adjusted pay
| Metro | Nominal median | Area price level (US=100) | Cost-adjusted pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $92,290 | 115.6 | $79,827 |
| San Jose, CA | $87,950 | 110.4 | $79,648 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $80,000 | 100.9 | $79,312 |
| Charlotte, NC | $72,600 | 97.3 | $74,578 |
| Portland, OR | $77,980 | 105.4 | $73,970 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $75,290 | 102.6 | $73,415 |
| Denver, CO | $77,570 | 105.8 | $73,330 |
| Seattle, WA | $81,030 | 111.1 | $72,913 |
| Boston, MA | $78,240 | 108.3 | $72,266 |
| Atlanta, GA | $70,790 | 100.1 | $70,749 |
| New York, NY | $75,900 | 112.6 | $67,429 |
| Chicago, IL | $69,820 | 103.6 | $67,397 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $73,440 | 113.6 | $64,667 |
| Dallas, TX | $60,340 | 103.1 | $58,531 |
| Miami, FL | $62,230 | 114.2 | $54,514 |
San Francisco, CA tops the cost-adjusted list ($79,827 adjusted, from a $92,290 median). A reversal: Dallas, TX's $60,340 median is worth more after local prices ($58,531) than Miami, FL's $62,230 ($54,514).
The method — and its limits
How this is calculated, and what it isn’t
Cost-adjusted pay = BLS OEWS occupation median (metro, May 2025) ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity, 2024, US = 100).The RPP is an official index of how a metro’s overall prices compare to the national average. Dividing the median by it shows what the salary is worth relative to local prices.
What it is not: this is regional price-level context only— not your take-home pay, not your personal affordability, not taxes, not a specific rent, not an outcome or a guarantee. Pay is the occupation-level median (half earn more, half less), and entry-level roles sit below it. It’s a fairer way to compare metros than a raw salary — nothing more.
Sources: nominal median — BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Price level — BEA Regional Price Parities (all items), 2024, U.S. average = 100. RoleMath sells nothing and earns no referral fee.
Common questions
Cost-of-living-adjusted pay, answered honestly
- Where do tech workers get paid the most adjusted for cost of living?
- Among large metros, San Jose tops the cost-adjusted list for software developers, information security analysts, and data scientists — its BLS occupation medians are high enough to survive the price adjustment. But the bigger story is the reversals: for information security analysts, the Raleigh, NC median ($143,640) is worth more after adjusting for local prices ($146,337) than the San Francisco median ($162,310, adjusted $140,391). This is BLS occupation-level pay adjusted by the BEA regional price level (US average = 100) — a price-level comparison, not your take-home pay.
- Why is a higher salary sometimes worth less?
- Because the same dollars buy different amounts in different places. The BEA Regional Price Parity index measures how local prices compare to the U.S. average (100). San Francisco sits around 115.6 and New York 112.6, so a dollar there buys roughly 12-16% less than the national average; Raleigh (98.2) and Huntsville (93.1) sit below it. Dividing the BLS median by the local price level shows what the salary is worth relative to local prices.
- Is this my take-home pay or what I can afford?
- No. This is regional price-level context only, from official BLS and BEA data — not personal affordability, take-home pay, taxes, a specific housing cost, an outcome, or a guarantee. Pay is the occupation-level median (half earn more, half less), and entry-level roles sit below it. Use it to compare metros, not to predict your own paycheck.
- How is the cost-adjusted figure calculated?
- Cost-adjusted pay = the BLS OEWS occupation-level metro median (May 2025) divided by the metro’s BEA Regional Price Parity all-items index (2024, US = 100), then read as dollars. For example, Raleigh information security: $143,640 ÷ (98.2 / 100) ≈ $146,337 (computed from the full-precision price index; the table rounds it to 98.2). It is a transparent price-level adjustment, not a model.
Compare the careers, too — with the sources
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