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