Operations Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Operations Manager Salary: Austin, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Operations Managers in Austin, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$109,000 vs $133,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$87,903 vs $82,099
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$81,223 vs $75,859
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $109,000 | $133,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,930 | $102,410▲ | -$18,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $139,520 | $170,240▲ | -$30,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $174,400 | $212,800▲ | -$38,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 162 | -38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $87,903▲ | $82,099 | +$5,804 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $100,716 | $122,892▲ | -$22,176 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $81,223▲ | $75,859 | +$5,364 |
| Total Employment | 30,400 | 46,400 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $24,000 more (median: $109,000 vs $133,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 162), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($87,903 vs $82,099 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.