Operations Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Operations Manager Salary: New York, NY vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Operations Managers in New York, NY and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$131,000 vs $121,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$70,053 vs $74,691
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$60,295 vs $65,564
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $131,000▲ | $121,000 | +$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $100,870▲ | $93,170 | +$7,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $167,680▲ | $154,880 | +$12,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $209,600▲ | $193,600 | +$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 162 | +25 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 5%▲ | +1.8499999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $70,053 | $74,691▲ | -$4,638 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $112,752▲ | $106,214 | +$6,538 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $60,295 | $65,564▲ | -$5,269 |
| Total Employment | 54,400 | 33,600 | +20,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $10,000 more (median: $131,000 vs $121,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($70,053 vs $74,691 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.85%).
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.