Operations Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Operations Manager Salary: Washington, DC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Operations Managers in Washington, DC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Washington, DC
$119,000 vs $109,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$78,289 vs $87,903
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$67,638 vs $81,223
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $119,000▲ | $109,000 | +$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,630▲ | $83,930 | +$7,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $152,320▲ | $139,520 | +$12,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $190,400▲ | $174,400 | +$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 124 | +28 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 0%▲ | +6.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $78,289 | $87,903▲ | -$9,614 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $102,809▲ | $100,716 | +$2,093 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $67,638 | $81,223▲ | -$13,585 |
| Total Employment | 36,000 | 30,400 | +5,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Washington, DC pays $10,000 more (median: $119,000 vs $109,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($78,289 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.