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Operations Manager Salary in the United States

How much does an Operations Manager make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Operations Manager in the United States is $106,702 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $51.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $132,587
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $94,112 to $120,251
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $82,649

Key Factors That Influence Operations Manager Salaries

An 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Operations Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an 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:

  • Operations Supervisor (0-3 years): $65,618
  • Operations Senior Supervisor (3-5 years): $94,008
  • Operations Manager (5+ years): $106,702
  • Senior Operations Manager (5+ years): $144,644
  • Operations Director (5+ years): $200,746
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Operations Supervisor0-3 years$65,618
Operations Senior Supervisor3-5 years$94,008
Operations Manager5+ years$106,702
Senior Operations Manager5+ years$144,644
Operations Director5+ years$200,746

Top Paying Cities for Operations Manager

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: $134,583
  • San Francisco: $133,110
  • Oakland: $130,304

What Skills Can Increase an Operations Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 12.75% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Product Quality (Mentioned in 1.6% Job Postings): Product quality refers to how well a product satisfies customer needs, serves its purpose and meets industry standards. When evaluating product quality, businesses consider several key factors, including whether a product solves a problem, works efficiently or suits customers' purposes.
  • Cost Control (Mentioned in 1.17% Job Postings): Managing and analyzing financial data in determining and reducing business expenses to increase revenue and profitability.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 12.75%
Product Quality 1.6%
Cost Control 1.17%

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 an Operations Manager's salary.

  • CVS: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Analytical Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Influencing: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
CVS $117,372
10%
Analytical Skills $115,238
8%
Influencing $114,171
7%

Operations Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Operations Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $119,447. While startup companies pay approximate $101,049.

Operations Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $101,049
Growth Stage 51~500 $106,871
Established 501~5000 $115,347
Enterprise 5000+ $119,447

Operations Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Operations Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 18% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Business Services and Construction sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 8% above the average. In contrast, Operations Manager positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Operations Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Operations Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Business Services$115,238$55.08%
Construction$115,238$55.08%
Insurance$114,171$55.07%
Aerospace & Defense$112,037$54.05%
Energy & Utilities$112,037$54.05%

How Education impacts an Operations Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Operations Manager enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Operations Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $114,075 and $121,293.

Operations Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Operations Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.4%
High School 19.9%
Associates 11.4%
Bachelors 48.8%
Masters 18.9%
Doctorate 0.6%

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

Understanding how an 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 August 01, 2026
$94,112
Average $106,702/year
$120,251
$7,843
Average $8,892/month
$10,021
$1,810
Average $2,052/week
$2,313
$45
Average $51/hour
$58
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $120,251 $10,021 $2,313 $58
Average $106,702 $8,892 $2,052 $51
25th Percentile $94,112 $7,843 $1,810 $45

Operations Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

For an Operations Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Senior Operations Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $144,644 - a projected growth of 36% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Operations Manager

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

Common company salaries for Operations Manager

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

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FAQ about Operations Manager

1. Where can an Operations Manager earn the most?

An 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, an Operations Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Operations Manager is $134,583.

2. What is the highest pay for Operations Manager?

The highest pay for Operations Manager is $132,587.

3. What is the lowest pay for Operations Manager?

The lowest pay for Operations Manager is $82,649.

4. What are the responsibilities of Operations Manager?

Manages the daily activities of an organization's operations. Implements company policies, procedures, and initiatives to ensure efficient operations. Monitors performance against operational goals and evaluates and enhances current operational systems. Develops reporting and auditing processes used to analyze operational effectiveness and reviews performance reports from team leaders. Coordinates operations with other functions. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. 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 Operations Manager?

The Business Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Operations Manager roles, with salaries approximately 8% 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.

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