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Head of General Operations Salary in the United States

How much does a Head of General Operations make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Head of General Operations in the United States is $315,570 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $152.

However, a Head of General Operations's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $368,298
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $281,060 to $343,170
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $249,640
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Head of General Operations Salaries

A Head of General Operations's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Head of General Operations Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Head of General Operations's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • General Operations Manager (5+ years): $106,710
  • General Operations Senior Manager (5+ years): $144,652
  • General Operations Director (5+ years): $200,775
  • Chief Regional Operations Officer (5+ years): $230,738
  • Head of General Operations (5+ years): $315,563
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
General Operations Manager5+ years$106,710
General Operations Senior Manager5+ years$144,652
General Operations Director5+ years$200,775
Chief Regional Operations Officer5+ years$230,738
Head of General Operations5+ years$315,563
View as Graph

How Do Head of General Operations Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Head of General Operations. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $349,400.
  • California: $348,070.
  • Massachusetts: $343,430.

Top Paying Cities for Head of General Operations

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $398,020
  • San Francisco: $393,670
  • Oakland: $385,370

What Skills Can Increase a Head of General Operations's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 19.07% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Financial Services (Mentioned in 1.32% Job Postings): A services provided by the finance industry, which encompasses a broad range of businesses that manage money. These services involve banking, brokerage, mortgages, credit cards, payment services, real estate, investment funds, taxes and accounting.
  • Operations Management (Mentioned in 1.03% Job Postings): Operations management is an area of management concerned with designing and controlling the process of production and redesigning business operations in the production of goods or services. It involves the responsibility of ensuring that business operations are efficient in terms of using as few resources as needed and effective in terms of meeting customer requirements. Operations management is primarily concerned with planning, organizing and supervising in the contexts of production, manufacturing or the provision of services. It is concerned with managing an entire production system which is the process that converts inputs (in the forms of raw materials, labor, and energy) into outputs (in the form of goods and/or services), or delivers a product or services. Operations produce products, manage quality and creates service. Operation management covers sectors like banking systems, hospitals, companies, working with suppliers, customers, and using technology. Operations is one of the major functions in an organization along with supply chains, marketing, finance and human resources. The operations function requires management of both the strategic and day-to-day production of goods and services.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 19.07%
Financial Services 1.32%
Operations Management 1.03%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Head of General Operations's salary.

  • Operations Management: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Operations Management $356,594
13%
Innovation $353,438
12%
Insight $353,438
12%
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Head of General Operations Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Head of General Operations salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $352,663. While startup companies pay approximate $298,317.

Head of General Operations Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $298,317
Growth Stage 51~500 $315,500
Established 501~5000 $340,541
Enterprise 5000+ $352,663

Head of General Operations Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Head of General Operations roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Construction and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Head of General Operations positions in Energy & Utilities or Biotechnology typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Head of General Operations as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Head of General Operations

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Construction$394,462$190.025%
Business Services$378,684$182.020%
Insurance$362,906$174.015%
Financial Services$347,127$167.010%
MFG Nondurable$347,127$167.010%

How Education impacts a Head of General Operations's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Head of General Operations enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Head of General Operations with a Bachelor's Degree is between $296,024 and $325,872).

Head of General Operations Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Head of General Operations
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.9%
High School 7.4%
Associates 5.1%
Bachelors 40.6%
Masters 42.3%
Doctorate 3.6%
View as Graph

Head of General Operations Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Head of General Operations's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$281,060
Average $315,570/year
$343,170
$23,422
Average $26,298/month
$28,598
$5,405
Average $6,069/week
$6,599
$135
Average $152/hour
$165
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $343,170 $28,598 $6,599 $165
Average $315,570 $26,298 $6,069 $152
25th Percentile $281,060 $23,422 $5,405 $135

Most common benefits for Head of General Operations

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Head of General Operations

Here are companies hiring for Head of General Operations and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Head of General Operations

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Head of General Operations?

The Construction industry offers the highest average compensation for Head of General Operations roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. How much do operation consultants make in the US?

The salary for a Head of General Operations in the United States ranges from a minimum of $269,360 to a maximum of $385,270, with a mid-range salary of $320,270. This reflects a more specialized and senior role compared to typical Operations Consultants, whose salaries are generally lower.

3. What is the highest position in operations?

The highest positions in operations include 'Chief Operations Officer' (COO), 'VP of Operations', and 'Director of Business Operations'. These roles command salaries ranging from a minimum of $269,360 to a maximum of $385,270, reflecting their critical responsibility in overseeing business operations, enhancing efficiency, and shaping strategic initiatives.

4. What is the difference between operations manager and operations lead?

An Operations Manager generally holds a higher-ranking role, overseeing multiple departments or the entire operations of a business, with a salary ranging from $269,360 to $385,270. In contrast, an Operations Lead focuses on a specific department or project, reporting to the Operations Manager or another senior position, earning a mid-salary of around $320,270.

5. How much does a director of operations make in the US?

The salary for a Head of General Operations in the US ranges from $269,360 to $385,270, with a midpoint of $320,270. This reflects the competitive nature of the role, highlighting the importance of experience and industry in determining compensation.

6. Is director of operations higher than COO?

Within a corporate hierarchy, the director of operations reports to the chief operations officer (COO). The role typically requires around nine years of experience. Salaries for the Head of General Operations range from $269,360 to $385,270, with a midpoint of $320,270. Operations directors can be found in private, public, non-profit, and government sectors.

7. How much does the chief of general surgery make in the US?

The salary for a Head of General Operations in the US ranges from $269,360 to $385,270 annually, with a midpoint of $320,270. This translates to approximately $129.62 to $185.63 per hour, or $5,578 to $7,939 per week.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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