Operations Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Operations Manager Salary: Chicago, IL vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Operations Managers in Chicago, IL and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$100,000 vs $121,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$93,458 vs $74,691
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$82,080 vs $65,564
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $100,000 | $121,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,000 | $93,170▲ | -$16,170 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,000 | $154,880▲ | -$26,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,000 | $193,600▲ | -$33,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 5% | -0.04999999999999982% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $93,458▲ | $74,691 | +$18,767 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $87,826 | $106,214▲ | -$18,388 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $82,080▲ | $65,564 | +$16,516 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 33,600 | -5,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $21,000 more (median: $100,000 vs $121,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($93,458 vs $74,691 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% 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.