Operations Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Operations Manager Salary: Louisville, KY vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Operations Managers in Louisville, KY and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$78,000 vs $109,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$89,655 vs $87,903
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$79,528 vs $81,223
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $78,000 | $109,000▲ | -$31,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,060 | $83,930▲ | -$23,870 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,840 | $139,520▲ | -$39,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $124,800 | $174,400▲ | -$49,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 124 | -37 |
| State Income Tax | 4% | 0%▲ | +4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $89,655▲ | $87,903 | +$1,752 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $69,189 | $100,716▲ | -$31,527 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $79,528 | $81,223▲ | -$1,695 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 30,400 | -22,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $31,000 more (median: $78,000 vs $109,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 124), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($89,655 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.