Operations Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Operations Manager Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Operations Managers in Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$117,000 vs $137,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$67,630 vs $73,656
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Francisco, CA
$56,679 vs $61,728
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $117,000 | $137,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $90,090 | $105,490▲ | -$15,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $149,760 | $175,360▲ | -$25,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $187,200 | $219,200▲ | -$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 186 | -13 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%▲ | 9.3% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $67,630 | $73,656▲ | -$6,026 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $98,054 | $114,815▲ | -$16,761 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $56,679 | $61,728▲ | -$5,049 |
| Total Employment | 38,400 | 41,600 | -3,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $20,000 more (median: $117,000 vs $137,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 186), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($67,630 vs $73,656 equivalent). San Francisco, CA has the lower state tax rate (9.3% vs 9.3%).
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.