Operations Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Operations Manager Salary: Louisville, KY vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Operations Managers in Louisville, KY and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$78,000 vs $121,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$89,655 vs $74,691
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$79,528 vs $65,564
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $78,000 | $121,000▲ | -$43,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,060 | $93,170▲ | -$33,110 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,840 | $154,880▲ | -$55,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $124,800 | $193,600▲ | -$68,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 162 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4%▲ | 5% | -1% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $89,655▲ | $74,691 | +$14,964 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $69,189 | $106,214▲ | -$37,025 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $79,528▲ | $65,564 | +$13,964 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 33,600 | -25,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $43,000 more (median: $78,000 vs $121,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 162), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($89,655 vs $74,691 equivalent). Louisville, KY has the lower state tax rate (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.