Operations Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Operations Manager Salary: New York, NY vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Operations Managers in New York, NY and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$131,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$70,053 vs $82,031
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$60,295 vs $72,462
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $131,000▲ | $105,000 | +$26,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $100,870▲ | $80,850 | +$20,020 |
| 75th Percentile | $167,680▲ | $134,400 | +$33,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $209,600▲ | $168,000 | +$41,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 128 | +59 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 4.4%▲ | +2.4499999999999993% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $70,053 | $82,031▲ | -$11,978 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $112,752▲ | $92,751 | +$20,001 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $60,295 | $72,462▲ | -$12,167 |
| Total Employment | 54,400 | 22,400 | +32,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $26,000 more (median: $131,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($70,053 vs $82,031 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% 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.