Operations Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Operations Manager Salary: Chicago, IL vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Operations Managers in Chicago, IL and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$100,000 vs $109,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$93,458 vs $87,903
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$82,080 vs $81,223
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $100,000 | $109,000▲ | -$9,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,000 | $83,930▲ | -$6,930 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,000 | $139,520▲ | -$11,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,000 | $174,400▲ | -$14,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 124 | -17 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95% | 0%▲ | +4.95% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $93,458▲ | $87,903 | +$5,555 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $87,826 | $100,716▲ | -$12,890 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $82,080▲ | $81,223 | +$857 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 30,400 | -2,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $9,000 more (median: $100,000 vs $109,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 124), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($93,458 vs $87,903 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.