Operations Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Operations Manager Salary: Indianapolis, IN vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Operations Managers in Indianapolis, IN and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$84,000 vs $109,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$93,333 vs $87,903
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$83,523 vs $81,223
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $84,000 | $109,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,680 | $83,930▲ | -$19,250 |
| 75th Percentile | $107,520 | $139,520▲ | -$32,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $134,400 | $174,400▲ | -$40,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 124 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 3.15% | 0%▲ | +3.15% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $93,333▲ | $87,903 | +$5,430 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $75,171 | $100,716▲ | -$25,545 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $83,523▲ | $81,223 | +$2,300 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 30,400 | -18,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Indianapolis, IN minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $25,000 more (median: $84,000 vs $109,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 124), Indianapolis, IN provides better purchasing power ($93,333 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.