Operations Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Operations Manager Salary: Richmond, VA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Operations Managers in Richmond, VA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$90,000 vs $109,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$89,109 vs $87,903
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$77,602 vs $81,223
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $90,000 | $109,000▲ | -$19,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,300 | $83,930▲ | -$14,630 |
| 75th Percentile | $115,200 | $139,520▲ | -$24,320 |
| 90th Percentile | $144,000 | $174,400▲ | -$30,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 124 | -23 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 0%▲ | +5.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $89,109▲ | $87,903 | +$1,206 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $78,378 | $100,716▲ | -$22,338 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $77,602 | $81,223▲ | -$3,621 |
| Total Employment | 11,200 | 30,400 | -19,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $19,000 more (median: $90,000 vs $109,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 124), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($89,109 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.