Operations Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Operations Manager Salary: Seattle, WA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Operations Managers in Seattle, WA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$133,000 vs $109,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$82,099 vs $87,903
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$75,859 vs $81,223
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $133,000▲ | $109,000 | +$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $102,410▲ | $83,930 | +$18,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $170,240▲ | $139,520 | +$30,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $212,800▲ | $174,400 | +$38,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 124 | +38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $82,099 | $87,903▲ | -$5,804 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $122,892▲ | $100,716 | +$22,176 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $75,859 | $81,223▲ | -$5,364 |
| Total Employment | 46,400 | 30,400 | +16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $24,000 more (median: $133,000 vs $109,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($82,099 vs $87,903 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.