Operations Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Operations Manager Salary: Austin, TX vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Operations Managers in Austin, TX and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$109,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$87,903 vs $82,031
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$81,223 vs $72,462
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $109,000▲ | $105,000 | +$4,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,930▲ | $80,850 | +$3,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $139,520▲ | $134,400 | +$5,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $174,400▲ | $168,000 | +$6,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 128 | -4 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 4.4% | -4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $87,903▲ | $82,031 | +$5,872 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $100,716▲ | $92,751 | +$7,965 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $81,223▲ | $72,462 | +$8,761 |
| Total Employment | 30,400 | 22,400 | +8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $4,000 more (median: $109,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 128), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($87,903 vs $82,031 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.