Operations Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Operations Manager Salary: Nashville, TN vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Operations Managers in Nashville, TN and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$92,000 vs $109,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$83,636 vs $87,903
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$77,280 vs $81,223
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $92,000 | $109,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,840 | $83,930▲ | -$13,090 |
| 75th Percentile | $117,760 | $139,520▲ | -$21,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $147,200 | $174,400▲ | -$27,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 124 | -14 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $83,636 | $87,903▲ | -$4,267 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $85,008 | $100,716▲ | -$15,708 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $77,280 | $81,223▲ | -$3,943 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 30,400 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $17,000 more (median: $92,000 vs $109,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($83,636 vs $87,903 equivalent). Nashville, TN 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.