Operations Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Operations Manager Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Operations Managers in San Francisco, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$137,000 vs $109,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$73,656 vs $87,903
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$61,728 vs $81,223
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $137,000▲ | $109,000 | +$28,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $105,490▲ | $83,930 | +$21,560 |
| 75th Percentile | $175,360▲ | $139,520 | +$35,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $219,200▲ | $174,400 | +$44,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 124 | +62 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $73,656 | $87,903▲ | -$14,247 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $114,815▲ | $100,716 | +$14,099 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $61,728 | $81,223▲ | -$19,495 |
| Total Employment | 41,600 | 30,400 | +11,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $28,000 more (median: $137,000 vs $109,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($73,656 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.