Operations Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Operations Manager Salary: Houston, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Operations Managers in Houston, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$100,000 vs $137,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$93,458 vs $73,656
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$86,355 vs $61,728
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $100,000 | $137,000▲ | -$37,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,000 | $105,490▲ | -$28,490 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,000 | $175,360▲ | -$47,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,000 | $219,200▲ | -$59,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 186 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $93,458▲ | $73,656 | +$19,802 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $92,400 | $114,815▲ | -$22,415 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $86,355▲ | $61,728 | +$24,627 |
| Total Employment | 22,400 | 41,600 | -19,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $37,000 more (median: $100,000 vs $137,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 186), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($93,458 vs $73,656 equivalent). Houston, 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.