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Import/Export Operations Manager Salary in the United States

How much does an Import/Export Operations Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Import/Export Operations Manager in the United States is $115,863 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $56.

However, an Import/Export Operations Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $138,425
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $106,193 to $127,673
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $97,389

Key Factors That Influence Import/Export Operations Manager Salaries

An Import/Export Operations Manager'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Import/Export Operations Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Import/Export Operations Manager'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:

  • Import/Export Logistics Supervisor (7+ years): $75,631
  • Import/Export Logistics Senior Supervisor (7+ years): $90,086
  • Import/Export Operations Manager (7+ years): $115,844
  • Import/Export Compliance Senior Manager (7+ years): $138,861
  • Import/Export Compliance Director (7+ years): $176,509
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Import/Export Logistics Supervisor7+ years$75,631
Import/Export Logistics Senior Supervisor7+ years$90,086
Import/Export Operations Manager7+ years$115,844
Import/Export Compliance Senior Manager7+ years$138,861
Import/Export Compliance Director7+ years$176,509

Top Paying Cities for Import/Export Operations Managers

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: $146,133
  • San Francisco: $144,533
  • Oakland: $141,483

What Skills Can Increase an Import/Export Operations Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 12.17% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.35% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Event Management (Mentioned in 0.94% Job Postings): Setting up, designing, and hosting social and business events to boost the business's reputation and client base.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 12.17%
Microsoft Office 1.35%
Event Management 0.94%

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 an Import/Export Operations Manager's salary.

  • Guest Service: Can increase your salary by up to 34%.
  • Catering: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • Business Development: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Guest Service $155,256
34%
Catering $140,194
21%
Business Development $136,718
18%

Import/Export Operations Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Import/Export Operations Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $129,482. While startup companies pay approximate $109,528.

Import/Export Operations Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $109,528
Growth Stage 51~500 $115,837
Established 501~5000 $125,031
Enterprise 5000+ $129,482

Import/Export Operations Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Import/Export Operations Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 62% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 28% above the average. In contrast, Import/Export Operations Manager positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Import/Export Operations Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Import/Export Operations Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$148,305$71.028%
Financial Services$136,718$66.018%
Internet$133,242$64.015%
Energy & Utilities$127,449$61.010%
Aerospace & Defense$123,973$60.07%

Import/Export Operations Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Import/Export Operations Manager'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
$106,193
Average $115,863/year
$127,673
$8,849
Average $9,655/month
$10,639
$2,042
Average $2,228/week
$2,455
$51
Average $56/hour
$61
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $127,673 $10,639 $2,455 $61
Average $115,863 $9,655 $2,228 $56
25th Percentile $106,193 $8,849 $2,042 $51

Import/Export Operations Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

For an Import/Export Operations Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Import/Export Compliance Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $138,900 - a projected growth of 20% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Import/Export Operations Manager

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

Common company salaries for Import/Export Operations Manager

Here are companies hiring for Import/Export Operations Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Import/Export Operations Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Import/Export Operations Manager?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Import/Export Operations Manager roles, with salaries approximately 28% above the market median.

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.)

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