Operations Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Operations Manager Salary: Austin, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Operations Managers in Austin, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$109,000 vs $121,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$87,903 vs $74,691
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$81,223 vs $65,564
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $109,000 | $121,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,930 | $93,170▲ | -$9,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $139,520 | $154,880▲ | -$15,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $174,400 | $193,600▲ | -$19,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 162 | -38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $87,903▲ | $74,691 | +$13,212 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $100,716 | $106,214▲ | -$5,498 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $81,223▲ | $65,564 | +$15,659 |
| Total Employment | 30,400 | 33,600 | -3,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $12,000 more (median: $109,000 vs $121,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 162), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($87,903 vs $74,691 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.