Operations Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Operations Manager Salary: Boston, MA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Operations Managers in Boston, MA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$121,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$74,691 vs $82,031
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$65,564 vs $72,462
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $121,000▲ | $105,000 | +$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $93,170▲ | $80,850 | +$12,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $154,880▲ | $134,400 | +$20,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $193,600▲ | $168,000 | +$25,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 4.4%▲ | +0.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $74,691 | $82,031▲ | -$7,340 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $106,214▲ | $92,751 | +$13,463 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $65,564 | $72,462▲ | -$6,898 |
| Total Employment | 33,600 | 22,400 | +11,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $16,000 more (median: $121,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($74,691 vs $82,031 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.