Operations Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Operations Manager Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Operations Managers in San Francisco, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$137,000 vs $121,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$73,656 vs $74,691
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$61,728 vs $65,564
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $137,000▲ | $121,000 | +$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $105,490▲ | $93,170 | +$12,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $175,360▲ | $154,880 | +$20,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $219,200▲ | $193,600 | +$25,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 162 | +24 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $73,656 | $74,691▲ | -$1,035 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $114,815▲ | $106,214 | +$8,601 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $61,728 | $65,564▲ | -$3,836 |
| Total Employment | 41,600 | 33,600 | +8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $16,000 more (median: $137,000 vs $121,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($73,656 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.