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IT Operations Manager Salary in the United States

How much does an IT Operations Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an IT Operations Manager in the United States is $149,790 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $72.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $174,244
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $137,190 to $162,590
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $125,718
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence IT Operations Manager Salaries

An IT 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects IT Operations Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an IT 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:

  • Information Systems (IS) Supervisor I (12+ years): $91,865
  • Information Systems (IS) Supervisor II (12+ years): $127,254
  • IT Operations Manager (12+ years): $149,787
  • Information Systems (IS) Senior Manager (12+ years): $165,721
  • Information Systems (IS) Director (12+ years): $204,944
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Information Systems (IS) Supervisor I12+ years$91,865
Information Systems (IS) Supervisor II12+ years$127,254
IT Operations Manager12+ years$149,787
Information Systems (IS) Senior Manager12+ years$165,721
Information Systems (IS) Director12+ years$204,944
View as Graph

How Do IT Operations Manager 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 IT Operations Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $165,890.
  • California: $165,290.
  • Massachusetts: $163,090.

Top Paying Cities for IT 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: $188,990
  • San Francisco: $186,890
  • Oakland: $182,990

What Skills Can Increase an IT Operations Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 6.91% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • IT Support (Mentioned in 1.87% Job Postings): Assisting with managing, maintaining, and repairing business technology to ensure all IT functions work seamlessly.
  • Help Desk (Mentioned in 1.14% Job Postings): The activities involved in handling and resolving customer grievances and issues faster and efficient by a ticketing system.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 6.91%
IT Support 1.87%
Help Desk 1.14%
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 an IT Operations Manager's salary.

  • Agile: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Scrum: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Agile $157,280
5%
Innovation $155,782
4%
Scrum $155,782
4%
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IT Operations Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

IT Operations Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $167,397. While startup companies pay approximate $141,600.

IT Operations Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $141,600
Growth Stage 51~500 $149,757
Established 501~5000 $161,643
Enterprise 5000+ $167,397

IT Operations Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For IT Operations Manager 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 Software & Networking and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, IT Operations Manager positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view IT Operations Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an IT Operations Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$187,238$90.025%
Biotechnology$179,748$86.020%
Energy & Utilities$172,258$83.015%
Chemicals$164,769$79.010%
Financial Services$164,769$79.010%

How Education impacts an IT Operations Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many IT Operations Managers 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 an IT Operations Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $137,286 and $145,514).

IT Operations Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for IT Operations Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.0%
High School 16.4%
Associates 13.1%
Bachelors 47.1%
Masters 21.7%
Doctorate 0.6%
View as Graph

IT Operations Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an IT 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
$137,190
Average $149,790/year
$162,590
$11,433
Average $12,483/month
$13,549
$2,638
Average $2,881/week
$3,127
$66
Average $72/hour
$78
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $162,590 $13,549 $3,127 $78
Average $149,790 $12,483 $2,881 $72
25th Percentile $137,190 $11,433 $2,638 $66

IT Operations Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

IT Operations Manager

Next Role

Advancement

For an IT Operations Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Information Systems (IS) Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $165,800 - a projected growth of 11% over your current level.

Most common benefits for IT Operations Manager

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

Common company salaries for IT Operations Manager

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

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FAQ about IT Operations Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for IT Operations Manager?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for IT Operations Manager roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. How much money does an IT manager get?

An IT Operations Manager typically earns between $133,190 and $161,290 annually, with a median salary of $147,390. This compensation reflects the demand for skilled professionals in the field. While the top earners can exceed the median, those in the lower range may earn closer to the minimum salary.

3. What is the highest paid operations manager?

The highest paid IT Operations Manager in the United States can expect a salary ranging from $133,190 to $161,290, with a mid-salary of $147,390. This reflects the competitive nature of the industry, where top-paying sectors often offer substantial compensation packages to attract skilled professionals.

4. What is the lowest salary for an IT manager?

The lowest salary for an IT Operations Manager is $133,190. While some sources may report varying figures, the established range for this role typically spans from $133,190 to $161,290, with a mid-salary of $147,390. This reflects the competitive nature of the IT industry and the demand for skilled professionals.

5. What is the highest paid operations manager?

The highest paid IT Operations Manager in the United States can expect a salary range from $133,190 to $161,290, with a mid-salary of $147,390. This reflects the competitive nature of the industry, where specialized skills and experience significantly influence compensation.

6. Is IT Operations Manager a good job?

The role of an IT Operations Manager offers significant personal development opportunities and a competitive salary range. With a minimum salary of $133,190, a mid-range salary of $147,390, and a maximum salary of $161,290, the financial rewards are substantial, making it an attractive career choice in the tech industry.

7. Is IT manager job stressful?

Being an IT Operations Manager can indeed be stressful. You are responsible for critical systems and processes, and any issues can lead to significant consequences. However, the role also offers a competitive salary range, with a minimum of $133,190, a mid-level salary of $147,390, and a maximum of $161,290, which reflects the importance and demands of the position.

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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