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Plant Operations Manager Salary in the United States

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

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Plant Operations Manager in the United States is $156,799 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $75.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $184,590
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $145,816 to $171,346
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $135,817
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View as table View as graph 25% $145,816 10% $135,817 90% $184,590 75% $171,346 $156,799 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Plant Operations Manager Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $171,346 $14,279 $3,295 $82
Average $156,799 $13,067 $3,015 $75
25th Percentile $145,816 $12,151 $2,804 $70
Check out Plant Operations Manager Job Openings in the United States
Aggregate Plant Manager

CalPortland - SANTA MARIA, CA

Aggregate Plant Manager

CalPortland - BAKERSFIELD, CA

Aggregate Plant Manager

CalPortland - SANTA MARIA, CA

Aggregate Plant Manager

CalPortland - LOS ANGELES, CA

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Key Factors That Influence Plant Operations Manager Salaries

A Plant 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 Plant Operations Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Plant 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:

  • Plant Superintendent (0-5 years): $122,290
  • Plant Operations Manager (5+ years): $156,799
  • Plant Manager (5+ years): $191,998
  • Plant General Manager (5+ years): $219,557
  • Multi Plant General Manager (5+ years): $257,250
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Plant Superintendent0-5 years$122,290
Plant Operations Manager5+ years$156,799
Plant Manager5+ years$191,998
Plant General Manager5+ years$219,557
Multi Plant General Manager5+ years$257,250
$122,290 Plant Sup...
$156,799 Plant Ope...
$191,998 Plant Man...
$219,557 Plant Gen...
$257,250 Multi Pla...
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Plant 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 Plant Operations Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $173,608.
  • California: $172,949.
  • Massachusetts: $170,644.

Top Paying Cities for Plant 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: $197,771
  • San Francisco: $195,826
  • Oakland: $191,483

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 9.75% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Laundry (Mentioned in 1.88% Job Postings): Laundry refers to the washing of clothing and other textiles. Laundry processes are often done in a room reserved for that purpose; in an individual home this is referred to as a laundry room, Laundry in Australian English or utility room. An apartment building or student hall of residence may have a shared laundry facility such as a tvättstuga. A stand-alone business is referred to as a self-service laundry (launderette in British English or laundromat in American English). The material that is being washed, or has been laundered, is also generally referred to as laundry. Laundry has been part of history since humans began to wear clothes, so the methods by which different cultures have dealt with this universal human need are of interest to several branches of scholarship. Laundry work has traditionally been highly gendered, with the responsibility in most cultures falling to women (known as laundresses or washerwomen). The Industrial Revolution gradually led to mechanised solutions to laundry work, notably the washing machine and later the tumble dryer. Laundry, like cooking and child care, is done both at home and by commercial establishments outside the home.
  • Food Safety (Mentioned in 1.55% Job Postings): Applying procedures during food preparation, processing, storage, and distribution to ensure consumers are safe from foodborne illnesses.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 9.75%
Laundry 1.88%
Food Safety 1.55%
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 Manager's salary.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Laundry: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Project Management
$169,343
8%
Laundry
$166,207
6%
Analysis
$166,207
6%
Assisted Living
$166,207
6%
Building Codes
$164,639
5%
Innovation
$164,639
5%
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How Education impacts a Plant Operations Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Plant Operations Managers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree 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 Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $164,031 and $175,658).

Plant Operations Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Plant Operations Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 22.8%
High School 22.8%
Associates 7.0%
Bachelors 46.2%
Masters 24.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Plant Operations Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Plant 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 January 01, 2026

Plant Operations Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Plant Operations Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Plant Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $191,998 - a projected growth of 22% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Plant Operations Manager

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Plant Operations Manager

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

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FAQ about Plant Operations Manager

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

A Plant 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 Plant Operations Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Plant Operations Manager is $197,771.

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

The highest pay for Plant Operations Manager is $184,590.

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

The lowest pay for Plant Operations Manager is $135,817.

4. What are the responsibilities of Plant Operations Manager?

Oversees the daily operational activities of a plant or production facility. Develops and manages production schedules to meet internal volume, cost, and quality goals. Utilizes operational metrics to analyze productivity, identify issues, and set performance targets to achieve production goals. Implements plant safety and security inspections, auditing, and training procedures to meet OSHA and other required regulations. Oversees staffing and development of all production supervisors and staff and facilitates labor relations. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in manufacturing engineering or equivalent. Typically reports to a director. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments.

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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