Operations Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Operations Manager Salary: Nashville, TN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Operations Managers in Nashville, TN and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$92,000 vs $121,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$83,636 vs $74,691
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$77,280 vs $65,564
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $92,000 | $121,000▲ | -$29,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,840 | $93,170▲ | -$22,330 |
| 75th Percentile | $117,760 | $154,880▲ | -$37,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $147,200 | $193,600▲ | -$46,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 162 | -52 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $83,636▲ | $74,691 | +$8,945 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $85,008 | $106,214▲ | -$21,206 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $77,280▲ | $65,564 | +$11,716 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 33,600 | -19,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $29,000 more (median: $92,000 vs $121,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 162), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($83,636 vs $74,691 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.