Manager of Import Operations Salary in the United States

How much does a Manager of Import Operations make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Manager of Import Operations in the United States is $104,990 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $121,420
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $95,890 to $113,590
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $87,605

Key Factors That Influence Manager of Import Operations Salaries

A Manager of Import 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 Manager of Import Operations Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Manager of Import 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $101,594
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $102,002
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $103,360
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $104,990
  • Expert (over 8 years): $107,172
Levels Salary
Entry Level Manager of Import Operations$101,594
Intermediate Level Manager of Import Operations$102,002
Senior Level Manager of Import Operations$103,360
Specialist Level Manager of Import Operations$104,990
Expert Level Manager of Import Operations$107,172

Top Paying Cities for Manager of Import 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: $132,490
  • San Francisco: $130,990
  • Oakland: $128,290

What Skills Can Increase a Manager of Import Operations's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Standard Operating Procedures (Mentioned in 5.26% Job Postings): A standard operating procedure (SOP) is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations.
  • Container (Mentioned in 3.51% Job Postings): Container is an object used for or capable of holding, esp for transport or storage, such as a carton, box, etc.
  • Procurement (Mentioned in 3.51% Job Postings): Procurement is the process of finding and agreeing to terms, and acquiring goods, services, or works from an external source, often via a tendering or competitive bidding process. Procurement is used to ensure the buyer receives goods, services, or works at the best possible price when aspects such as quality, quantity, time, and location are compared. Corporations and public bodies often define processes intended to promote fair and open competition for their business while minimizing risks such as exposure to fraud and collusion. Almost all purchasing decisions include factors such as delivery and handling, marginal benefit, and price fluctuations. Procurement generally involves making buying decisions under conditions of scarcity. If sound data is available, it is good practice to make use of economic analysis methods such as cost-benefit analysis or cost-utility analysis.
Skills Demand Percentage
Standard Operating Procedures 5.26%
Container 3.51%
Procurement 3.51%

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 Manager of Import Operations's salary.

  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Procurement: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
  • Risk Management: Can increase your salary by up to 1%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Analysis $111,289
6%
Procurement $107,090
2%
Risk Management $106,040
1%

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

Manager of Import Operations salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $117,210. While startup companies pay approximate $99,247.

Manager of Import Operations Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $99,247
Growth Stage 51~500 $104,942
Established 501~5000 $113,176
Enterprise 5000+ $117,210

Manager of Import Operations Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Manager of Import Operations roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 63% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Manager of Import Operations positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Manager of Import Operations as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Manager of Import Operations

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$136,487$66.030%
Biotechnology$125,988$61.020%
Pharmaceuticals$125,988$61.020%
Aerospace & Defense$120,738$58.015%
Software & Networking$120,738$58.015%

How Education impacts a Manager of Import Operations's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Manager of Import 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 Manager of Import Operations with a Bachelor's Degree is between $112,765 and $121,591).

Manager of Import Operations Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Manager of Import Operations
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.4%
High School 23.6%
Associates 5.6%
Bachelors 45.8%
Masters 22.2%
Doctorate 1.4%

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

Understanding how a Manager of Import 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 October 01, 2026
$95,890
Average $104,990/year
$113,590
$7,991
Average $8,749/month
$9,466
$1,844
Average $2,019/week
$2,184
$46
Average $50/hour
$55
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $113,590 $9,466 $2,184 $55
Average $104,990 $8,749 $2,019 $50
25th Percentile $95,890 $7,991 $1,844 $46

Most common benefits for Manager of Import Operations

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

Common company salaries for Manager of Import Operations

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

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FAQ about Manager of Import Operations

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

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Manager of Import Operations roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. What is the highest salary of a manager?

The highest salary for a Manager of Import Operations is $146,890 per year. The salary range for this position typically spans from a minimum of $105,390 to a maximum of $146,890, with a mid-level salary of $122,390.

3. Is US Customs a good job?

US Customs and Border Protection has an overall rating of 3.8 out of 5, based on over 506 reviews. 71% of employees would recommend working there, and 65% have a positive outlook. For a Manager of Import Operations, salaries range from $105,390 to $146,890, with a midpoint of $122,390, making it a potentially rewarding career choice.

4. What is the highest salary for an Operations Manager?

The highest salary for a Manager of Import Operations is $146,890. The minimum salary for this role is $105,390, while the median salary stands at $122,390. This reflects a competitive compensation structure within the industry.

5. Do managers decide salary?

Yes, the hiring manager typically decides the salary for new employees based on the budget and company guidelines. For a Manager of Import Operations, the salary ranges from $105,390 to $146,890, with a midpoint of $122,390. The hiring manager considers these figures along with the candidate's qualifications during the hiring process.

6. What job is higher than a manager?

A director represents a senior management role within an organization or department. Compared to managers, who oversee day-to-day operations, directors are responsible for setting high-level strategies and objectives that affect the entire department or company. For context, a Manager of Import Operations typically earns between $105,390 and $146,890, with a mid-salary of $122,390.

7. How much does an import specialist make in the US?

As of now, the salary for a Manager of Import Operations in the US ranges from $105,390 to $146,890 annually, with a midpoint of $122,390. This translates to approximately $50.73 to $70.62 per hour, or $8,782 to $12,241 monthly. The role offers competitive compensation reflecting the responsibilities involved in managing import operations.

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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