Operations Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Operations Manager Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Operations Managers in Raleigh, NC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$98,000 vs $109,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$95,146 vs $87,903
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$83,958 vs $81,223
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $98,000 | $109,000▲ | -$11,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $75,460 | $83,930▲ | -$8,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $125,440 | $139,520▲ | -$14,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $156,800 | $174,400▲ | -$17,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 124 | -21 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5% | 0%▲ | +4.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $95,146▲ | $87,903 | +$7,243 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $86,477 | $100,716▲ | -$14,239 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $83,958▲ | $81,223 | +$2,735 |
| Total Employment | 17,600 | 30,400 | -12,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $11,000 more (median: $98,000 vs $109,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 124), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($95,146 vs $87,903 equivalent). Austin, TX 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.