Construction Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Construction Manager Salary: Denver, CO vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Construction Managers in Denver, CO and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$92,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$71,875 vs $64,815
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$63,491 vs $56,894
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $92,000 | $105,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,840 | $80,850▲ | -$10,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $117,760 | $134,400▲ | -$16,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $147,200 | $168,000▲ | -$20,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 162 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4%▲ | 5% | -0.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $71,875▲ | $64,815 | +$7,060 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $81,268 | $92,169▲ | -$10,901 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $63,491▲ | $56,894 | +$6,597 |
| Total Employment | 42,000 | 63,000 | -21,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $13,000 more (median: $92,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 162), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($71,875 vs $64,815 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% vs 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.