Construction Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Construction Manager Salary: Detroit, MI vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Construction Managers in Detroit, MI and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$73,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$82,022 vs $64,815
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$72,567 vs $56,894
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $73,000 | $105,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,210 | $80,850▲ | -$24,640 |
| 75th Percentile | $93,440 | $134,400▲ | -$40,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $116,800 | $168,000▲ | -$51,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 162 | -73 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25%▲ | 5% | -0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $82,022▲ | $64,815 | +$17,207 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $64,585 | $92,169▲ | -$27,584 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $72,567▲ | $56,894 | +$15,673 |
| Total Employment | 22,500 | 63,000 | -40,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $32,000 more (median: $73,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 162), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($82,022 vs $64,815 equivalent). Detroit, MI has the lower state tax rate (4.25% 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.