Operations Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Operations Manager Salary: Boston, MA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Operations Managers in Boston, MA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$121,000 vs $133,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$74,691 vs $82,099
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$65,564 vs $75,859
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $121,000 | $133,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $93,170 | $102,410▲ | -$9,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $154,880 | $170,240▲ | -$15,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $193,600 | $212,800▲ | -$19,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 162 | — |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 0%▲ | +5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $74,691 | $82,099▲ | -$7,408 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $106,214 | $122,892▲ | -$16,678 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $65,564 | $75,859▲ | -$10,295 |
| Total Employment | 33,600 | 46,400 | -12,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $12,000 more (median: $121,000 vs $133,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($74,691 vs $82,099 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.