Construction Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Construction Manager Salary: Atlanta, GA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Construction Managers in Atlanta, GA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$85,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Atlanta, GA
$78,704 vs $64,815
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Atlanta, GA
$68,730 vs $56,894
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $85,000 | $105,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,450 | $80,850▲ | -$15,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $108,800 | $134,400▲ | -$25,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $136,000 | $168,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 162 | -54 |
| State Income Tax | 5.49% | 5%▲ | +0.4900000000000002% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $78,704▲ | $64,815 | +$13,889 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $74,228 | $92,169▲ | -$17,941 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $68,730▲ | $56,894 | +$11,836 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 63,000 | -18,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Atlanta, GA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $20,000 more (median: $85,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 108 vs 162), Atlanta, GA provides better purchasing power ($78,704 vs $64,815 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 5.49%).
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.