Operations Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Operations Manager Salary: Richmond, VA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Operations Managers in Richmond, VA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$90,000 vs $121,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$89,109 vs $74,691
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$77,602 vs $65,564
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $90,000 | $121,000▲ | -$31,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,300 | $93,170▲ | -$23,870 |
| 75th Percentile | $115,200 | $154,880▲ | -$39,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $144,000 | $193,600▲ | -$49,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 162 | -61 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 5%▲ | +0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $89,109▲ | $74,691 | +$14,418 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $78,378 | $106,214▲ | -$27,836 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $77,602▲ | $65,564 | +$12,038 |
| Total Employment | 11,200 | 33,600 | -22,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $31,000 more (median: $90,000 vs $121,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 162), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($89,109 vs $74,691 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 5.75%).
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.