Operations Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Operations Manager Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Operations Managers in Salt Lake City, UT and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$94,000 vs $121,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$83,929 vs $74,691
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$73,944 vs $65,564
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $94,000 | $121,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,380 | $93,170▲ | -$20,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $120,320 | $154,880▲ | -$34,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $150,400 | $193,600▲ | -$43,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 162 | -50 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65%▲ | 5% | -0.34999999999999964% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $83,929▲ | $74,691 | +$9,238 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $82,817 | $106,214▲ | -$23,397 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $73,944▲ | $65,564 | +$8,380 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 33,600 | -19,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $27,000 more (median: $94,000 vs $121,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 162), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($83,929 vs $74,691 equivalent). Salt Lake City, UT has the lower state tax rate (4.65% 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.