Operations Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Operations Manager Salary: Portland, OR vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Operations Managers in Portland, OR and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$109,000 vs $121,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$83,846 vs $74,691
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Portland, OR
$70,695 vs $65,564
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $109,000 | $121,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,930 | $93,170▲ | -$9,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $139,520 | $154,880▲ | -$15,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $174,400 | $193,600▲ | -$19,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 162 | -32 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 5%▲ | +3.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $83,846▲ | $74,691 | +$9,155 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $91,903 | $106,214▲ | -$14,311 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $70,695▲ | $65,564 | +$5,131 |
| Total Employment | 16,000 | 33,600 | -17,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $12,000 more (median: $109,000 vs $121,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 162), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($83,846 vs $74,691 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 8.75%).
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.