As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for a Flight Operations Manager in the United States is $164,948 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:
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Flight Operations Manager Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $185,490 | $15,458 | $3,567 | $89 |
| Average | $164,948 | $13,746 | $3,172 | $79 |
| 25th Percentile | $140,687 | $11,724 | $2,706 | $68 |
Tallahassee Memorial - TALLAHASSEE, FL
University of Washington - SEATTLE, WA
Papa Johns - OVERLAND PARK, KS
CHRISTUS Health - ARANSAS PASS, TX
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.
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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Lead Flight Trainer | 7-10 years | $159,722 |
| Flight Operations Supervisor | 10+ years | $129,437 |
| Flight Operations Manager | 10+ years | $164,948 |
| Flight Operations Senior Manager | 10+ years | $196,565 |
| Flight Operations Director | 10+ years | $243,751 |
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 Flight 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:
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $185,490 | $15,458 | $3,567 | $89 |
| Average | $164,948 | $13,746 | $3,172 | $79 |
| 25th Percentile | $140,687 | $11,724 | $2,706 | $68 |
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 $196,565 - a projected growth of 19% over your current level.
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Flight Operations Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.
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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.
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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 $208,049.
The highest pay for Flight Operations Manager is $204,192.
The lowest pay for Flight Operations Manager is $118,599.
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.
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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