Operations Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Operations Manager Salary: San Diego, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Operations Managers in San Diego, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$113,000 vs $121,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$74,342 vs $74,691
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$62,304 vs $65,564
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $113,000 | $121,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,010 | $93,170▲ | -$6,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $144,640 | $154,880▲ | -$10,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $180,800 | $193,600▲ | -$12,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $74,342 | $74,691▲ | -$349 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $94,702 | $106,214▲ | -$11,512 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $62,304 | $65,564▲ | -$3,260 |
| Total Employment | 19,200 | 33,600 | -14,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $8,000 more (median: $113,000 vs $121,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($74,342 vs $74,691 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (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.