Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Flight Operations Manager Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Flight Operations Manager in the United States is $165,237 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $79.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $204,527
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $140,994 to $185,803
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $118,922
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Flight Operations Manager Salaries

A Flight 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.

How Experience Level Affects Flight Operations Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Flight 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:

  • Lead Flight Trainer (7-10 years): $159,732
  • Flight Operations Supervisor (10+ years): $114,105
  • Flight Operations Manager (10+ years): $165,237
  • Flight Operations Senior Manager (10+ years): $196,741
  • Flight Operations Director (10+ years): $243,921
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Lead Flight Trainer7-10 years$159,732
Flight Operations Supervisor10+ years$114,105
Flight Operations Manager10+ years$165,237
Flight Operations Senior Manager10+ years$196,741
Flight Operations Director10+ years$243,921
View as Graph

How Do Flight 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 Flight Operations Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $182,950.
  • California: $182,256.
  • Massachusetts: $179,827.

Top Paying Cities for Flight 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: $208,413
  • San Francisco: $206,132
  • Oakland: $201,787

Flight Operations Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Flight Operations Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $184,659. While startup companies pay approximate $156,203.

Flight Operations Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $156,203
Growth Stage 51~500 $165,200
Established 501~5000 $178,312
Enterprise 5000+ $184,659

Flight Operations Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Flight Operations Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Flight Operations Manager positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Flight Operations Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Flight Operations Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$181,761$87.010%
Biotechnology$181,761$87.010%
Business Services$181,761$87.010%
Chemicals$181,761$87.010%
Construction$181,761$87.010%

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

Understanding how a Flight 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
$140,994
Average $165,237/year
$185,803
$11,750
Average $13,770/month
$15,484
$2,711
Average $3,178/week
$3,573
$68
Average $79/hour
$89
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $185,803 $15,484 $3,573 $89
Average $165,237 $13,770 $3,178 $79
25th Percentile $140,994 $11,750 $2,711 $68

Flight Operations Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Flight Operations Manager

Next Role

Advancement

For a Flight Operations Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Flight Operations Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $196,741 - a projected growth of 19% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Flight Operations Manager

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

Common company salaries for Flight Operations Manager

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

Find Your Next Flight Operations Manager Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Flight Operations Manager job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Flight Operations Manager

1. Where can a Flight Operations Manager earn the most?

A Flight Operations Manager's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Flight Operations Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Flight Operations Manager is $208,413.

2. What is the highest pay for Flight Operations Manager?

The highest pay for Flight Operations Manager is $204,527.

3. What is the lowest pay for Flight Operations Manager?

The lowest pay for Flight Operations Manager is $118,922.

4. What are the responsibilities of Flight Operations Manager?

Manages day-to-day aviation operations focused on operational efficiency and compliance with regulatory and organizational operating policies, procedures, and standards. Coordinates plans and schedules skill development and training sessions for pilots, crews, and operators. Ensures all operations follow and comply with current FAA regulations, airworthiness, and safety standards. Supervises flight scheduling, aircraft maintenance, and inspection operations. Applies risk management best practices for safety to assess and manage operations. May require a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1 - 3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Flight Operations Manager?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Flight Operations Manager roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job