Operations Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Operations Manager Salary: Columbus, OH vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Operations Managers in Columbus, OH and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$87,000 vs $109,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$95,604 vs $87,903
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$84,814 vs $81,223
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $87,000 | $109,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,990 | $83,930▲ | -$16,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $111,360 | $139,520▲ | -$28,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $139,200 | $174,400▲ | -$35,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 124 | -33 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99% | 0%▲ | +3.99% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $95,604▲ | $87,903 | +$7,701 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $77,181 | $100,716▲ | -$23,535 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $84,814▲ | $81,223 | +$3,591 |
| Total Employment | 12,800 | 30,400 | -17,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $22,000 more (median: $87,000 vs $109,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 124), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($95,604 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.