As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Plant Engineering Operations Manager in Virginia is $158,000 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $76.
However, a Plant Engineering Operations Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Plant Engineering Operations Manager Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $172,600 | $14,383 | $3,319 | $83 |
| Average | $158,000 | $13,167 | $3,038 | $76 |
| 25th Percentile | $146,900 | $12,242 | $2,825 | $71 |
Navstar - Fredericksburg, VA
Navstar - Stafford, VA
Amazon - Sterling, VA
Amazon - Alexandria, VA
A Plant Engineering 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Plant Engineering 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Plant Operations Superintendent | 0-5 years | $123,210 |
| Plant Engineering Operations Manager | 5+ years | $157,943 |
| Single Facility/Plant Manager | 5+ years | $193,486 |
| Plant GM | 5+ years | $221,211 |
| Multiple Facility/Plant General Manager | 5+ years | $259,331 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Plant Engineering Operations Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Plant Engineering Operations Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $176,722. While startup companies pay approximate $149,454.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $149,454 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $158,071 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $170,659 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $176,722 |
For Plant Engineering Operations Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Plant Engineering Operations Manager positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Plant Engineering Operations Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $197,500 | $95.0 | 25% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $181,700 | $87.0 | 15% |
| Energy & Utilities | $181,700 | $87.0 | 15% |
| Software & Networking | $176,960 | $85.0 | 12% |
| Chemicals | $173,800 | $84.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Plant Engineering 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $172,600 | $14,383 | $3,319 | $83 |
| Average | $158,000 | $13,167 | $3,038 | $76 |
| 25th Percentile | $146,900 | $12,242 | $2,825 | $71 |
For a Plant Engineering Operations Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Single Facility/Plant Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $193,500 - a projected growth of 22% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Plant Engineering Operations Manager job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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