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Plant Operations Superintendent Salary in the United States

How much does a Plant Operations Superintendent make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Plant Operations Superintendent in the United States is $122,400 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $59.

However, a Plant Operations Superintendent's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $146,663
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $111,300 to $135,100
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $101,194

Key Factors That Influence Plant Operations Superintendent Salaries

A Plant Operations Superintendent'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 Plant Operations Superintendent Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Plant Operations Superintendent'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:

  • Plant Operations Superintendent (0-5 years): $122,375
  • Plant Engineering Operations Manager (5+ years): $156,860
  • Single Facility/Plant Manager (5+ years): $192,189
  • Plant GM (5+ years): $219,712
  • Multiple Facility/Plant General Manager (5+ years): $257,622
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Plant Operations Superintendent0-5 years$122,375
Plant Engineering Operations Manager5+ years$156,860
Single Facility/Plant Manager5+ years$192,189
Plant GM5+ years$219,712
Multiple Facility/Plant General Manager5+ years$257,622

How Do Plant Operations Superintendent 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 Plant Operations Superintendents. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $135,500.
  • California: $135,000.
  • Massachusetts: $133,200.

Top Paying Cities for Plant Operations Superintendents

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: $154,400
  • San Francisco: $152,700
  • Oakland: $149,500

What Skills Can Increase a Plant Operations Superintendent's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 10.24% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Preventative Maintenance (Mentioned in 2.35% Job Postings): Developing and implementing maintenance strategies to increase equipment life expectancy and avoid unplanned downtime.
  • Lean Manufacturing (Mentioned in 1.51% Job Postings): Lean manufacturing or lean production is a systematic method originating in the Japanese manufacturing industry for the minimization of waste (無駄, muda) within a manufacturing system without sacrificing productivity, which can cause problems. Lean also takes into account waste created through overburden (無理, muri) and unevenness in work loads (斑, mura). Working from the perspective of the client who consumes a product or service, "value" is any action or process that a customer would be willing to pay for.[citation needed] Lean manufacturing attempts to make obvious what adds value, through reducing everything else (because it is not adding value). This management philosophy is derived mostly from the Toyota Production System (TPS) and identified as "lean" only in the 1990s.[page needed], TPS is renowned for its focus on reduction of the original Toyota seven wastes to improve overall customer value, but there are varying perspectives on how this is best achieved. The steady growth of Toyota, from a small company to the world's largest automaker, has focused attention on how it has achieved this success.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 10.24%
Preventative Maintenance 2.35%
Lean Manufacturing 1.51%

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 Plant Operations Superintendent's salary.

  • Lean Manufacturing: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Process Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Continuous Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Lean Manufacturing $130,968
7%
Process Improvement $130,968
7%
Continuous Improvement $130,968
7%

Plant Operations Superintendent Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Plant Operations Superintendent salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $136,787. While startup companies pay approximate $115,708.

Plant Operations Superintendent Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $115,708
Growth Stage 51~500 $122,373
Established 501~5000 $132,085
Enterprise 5000+ $136,787

Plant Operations Superintendent Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Plant Operations Superintendent 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 Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Plant Operations Superintendent positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Plant Operations Superintendent as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Plant Operations Superintendent

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Construction$146,880$71.020%
Aerospace & Defense$140,760$68.015%
Pharmaceuticals$140,760$68.015%
Business Services$134,640$65.010%
MFG Durable$134,640$65.010%

How Education impacts a Plant Operations Superintendent's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Plant Operations Superintendents enter the field with a No Diploma 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 Plant Operations Superintendent with a No Diploma is between $110,504 and $116,800).

Plant Operations Superintendent Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Plant Operations Superintendent
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 32.6%
High School 32.6%
Associates 16.7%
Bachelors 37.5%
Masters 13.2%
Doctorate 0.0%

Plant Operations Superintendent Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Plant Operations Superintendent'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
$111,300
Average $122,400/year
$135,100
$9,275
Average $10,200/month
$11,258
$2,140
Average $2,354/week
$2,598
$54
Average $59/hour
$65
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $135,100 $11,258 $2,598 $65
Average $122,400 $10,200 $2,354 $59
25th Percentile $111,300 $9,275 $2,140 $54

Plant Operations Superintendent Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Plant Operations Superintendent, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Plant Operations Superintendent Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Mining Manager $193,700 58%
Plant Engineering Operations Manager $156,900 28%
Quarry Operations Superintendent $83,300 -32%

Most common benefits for Plant Operations Superintendent

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

Common company salaries for Plant Operations Superintendent

Here are companies hiring for Plant Operations Superintendent and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Plant Operations Superintendent

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Plant Operations Superintendent?

The Construction industry offers the highest average compensation for Plant Operations Superintendent roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. What is the highest salary for a plant manager?

The highest salary for a Plant Operations Superintendent is $129,300. In comparison, a Plant Manager typically earns between $111,000 and $188,000 per year, while a Senior Plant Manager can make between $115,000 and $190,000. For a Director of Production, salaries range from $140,000 to $248,000 annually.

3. How much does a plant operations superintendent make?

A Plant Operations Superintendent earns between $107,000 and $129,300 annually, with a median salary of $118,300. This translates to approximately $51.44 to $62.06 per hour, or about $2,058 to $2,490 weekly. The monthly earnings range from $9,083 to $11,075, reflecting the significant responsibilities of this role in managing plant operations.

4. How much does a CSX plant superintendent make?

A Plant Operations Superintendent at CSX in the United States can expect to earn between $107,000 and $129,300 annually, with a median salary of approximately $118,300. This reflects a competitive compensation range for this role in the industry.

5. What level is plant superintendent?

The Plant Operations Superintendent is typically a first-level manager who requires a bachelor's degree in manufacturing engineering or a related field. This role manages subordinate staff and reports to a director. The salary range for this position is between $107,000 and $129,300, with a mid-salary of $118,300.

6. Is plant operator a good career?

Plant operator is a good career choice, offering opportunities to utilize your skills in operating machinery and managing plant operations. With a salary range from $107,000 to $129,300, including a mid-salary of $118,300, the compensation package is quite attractive, making it a rewarding profession in the industry.

7. Is plant operator a good career?

Plant operator is a good career choice, offering opportunities to utilize your skills in operating machinery and managing plant operations. With a salary range from $107,000 to $129,300, including a mid-salary of $118,300, the compensation package is quite attractive, making it a rewarding profession in the industry.

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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