As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a VP of Data Operations in the United States is $261,623 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $126.
However, a VP of Data Operations's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A VP of Data 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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a VP of Data 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Enterprise Data Management Manager | 7+ years | $137,715 |
| Enterprise Data Management Senior Manager | 7+ years | $172,671 |
| Data Operations Director | 7+ years | $210,003 |
| VP of Data Operations | 7+ years | $261,601 |
| Chief Data Officer (CDO) | 7+ years | $325,345 |
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 VP of Data Operations. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Initiative | 5.73% |
| Data Architecture | 3.18% |
| Data System | 1.91% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Agility
|
$311,331 |
19%
|
|
Flexibility
|
$285,169 |
9%
|
|
Data Cleansing
|
$282,553 |
8%
|
|
Data-Driven Decision-Making
|
$282,553 |
8%
|
|
Strategic Planning
|
$279,937 |
7%
|
|
Products and Services
|
$279,937 |
7%
|
VP of Data Operations salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $292,872. While startup companies pay approximate $247,763.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $247,763 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $262,038 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $282,820 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $292,872 |
For VP of Data Operations roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, VP of Data Operations positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view VP of Data Operations as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $313,948 | $151.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a VP of Data 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 August 01, 2026For a VP of Data Operations, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Chief Data Officer (CDO) role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $325,400 - a projected growth of 24% over your current level.
Salaries for a VP of Data Operations can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $222,991 in 2023 to around $223,646 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of VP of Data Operations salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $222,991 |
| 2024 | $226,790 |
| 2025 | $223,646 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for VP of Data Operations roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
The highest salary for a Chief Data Officer is approximately $307,733. Salary ranges for this role typically span from a minimum of $228,483 to a mid-level of $259,113, reflecting varying experience and responsibilities within the field.
A VP level position, particularly in a small business, typically operates under the president or CEO, executing key executive tasks and collaborating on major decisions. The salary for a VP of Data Operations ranges from $228,483 to $307,733, with a midpoint of $259,113, reflecting the significant responsibilities and expertise required for this role.
Head of Data and Chief Data Officer are distinct roles. The Head of Data focuses on the contributions of their data teams, while the Chief Data Officer oversees the overall impact of data on the organization. In terms of compensation, the salary for a VP of Data Operations typically ranges from $228,483 to $307,733, with a midpoint of $259,113.
The average salary for a VP of Data Operations ranges from $228,483 to $307,733, with a midpoint of $259,113. This reflects a significant earning potential in this role, contrasting with the national average wage index of $66,621 for 2023, which shows a 4.43% increase from the previous year.
The highest salary for a VP of Data Operations in the U.S. ranges from $228,483 to $307,733, with a mid-salary of $259,113. This is significantly higher than typical data analyst salaries, which can reach around $118,235 in top-paying cities like San Jose, CA.
The highest-paid position in data operations is the VP of Data Operations, with a salary range from $228,483 to $307,733. In comparison, top engineering roles in the USA average significantly lower, with computer engineering at $140,830 and IT engineering at $132,930. This highlights the premium placed on leadership roles in data operations.
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