Operations Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Operations Manager Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Operations Managers in Raleigh, NC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$98,000 vs $121,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$95,146 vs $74,691
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$83,958 vs $65,564
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $98,000 | $121,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $75,460 | $93,170▲ | -$17,710 |
| 75th Percentile | $125,440 | $154,880▲ | -$29,440 |
| 90th Percentile | $156,800 | $193,600▲ | -$36,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 5% | -0.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $95,146▲ | $74,691 | +$20,455 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $86,477 | $106,214▲ | -$19,737 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $83,958▲ | $65,564 | +$18,394 |
| Total Employment | 17,600 | 33,600 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $23,000 more (median: $98,000 vs $121,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($95,146 vs $74,691 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% vs 5%).
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.