Operations Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Operations Manager Salary: Raleigh, NC vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Operations Managers in Raleigh, NC and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$98,000 vs $137,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$95,146 vs $73,656
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$83,958 vs $61,728
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $98,000 | $137,000▲ | -$39,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $75,460 | $105,490▲ | -$30,030 |
| 75th Percentile | $125,440 | $175,360▲ | -$49,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $156,800 | $219,200▲ | -$62,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 186 | -83 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.800000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $95,146▲ | $73,656 | +$21,490 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $86,477 | $114,815▲ | -$28,338 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $83,958▲ | $61,728 | +$22,230 |
| Total Employment | 17,600 | 41,600 | -24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $39,000 more (median: $98,000 vs $137,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 186), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($95,146 vs $73,656 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% vs 9.3%).
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.