Operations Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Operations Manager Salary: Washington, DC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Operations Managers in Washington, DC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$119,000 vs $121,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$78,289 vs $74,691
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$67,638 vs $65,564
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $119,000 | $121,000▲ | -$2,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,630 | $93,170▲ | -$1,540 |
| 75th Percentile | $152,320 | $154,880▲ | -$2,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $190,400 | $193,600▲ | -$3,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 5%▲ | +1.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $78,289▲ | $74,691 | +$3,598 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $102,809 | $106,214▲ | -$3,405 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $67,638▲ | $65,564 | +$2,074 |
| Total Employment | 36,000 | 33,600 | +2,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $2,000 more (median: $119,000 vs $121,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($78,289 vs $74,691 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.5%).
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.