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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an It Operations Specialist in California is $88,538 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.
However, an It Operations Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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It Operations Specialist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $96,746 | $8,062 | $1,860 | $47 |
| Average | $88,538 | $7,378 | $1,703 | $43 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,487 | $6,457 | $1,490 | $37 |
CoreWeave - Sunnyvale, CA
RadNet - Temecula, CA
Randstad - San Diego, CA
RadNet - Los Angeles, CA
An It Operations Specialist'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 an It Operations Specialist'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Informati... Level It Operations Specialist | $74,524 |
| It Operat... Level It Operations Specialist | $89,306 |
| Informati... Level It Operations Specialist | $115,964 |
| Informati... Level It Operations Specialist | $142,464 |
| Informati... Level It Operations Specialist | $165,764 |
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 It Operations Specialists. 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:
For It Operations Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 36% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 17% above the average. In contrast, It Operations Specialist positions in Transportation or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view It Operations Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $103,590 | $50.0 | 17% |
| Biotechnology | $100,934 | $49.0 | 14% |
| Energy & Utilities | $98,278 | $47.0 | 11% |
| Insurance | $96,507 | $46.0 | 9% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $93,851 | $45.0 | 6% |
Understanding how an It Operations Specialist'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 | $96,746 | $8,062 | $1,860 | $47 |
| Average | $88,538 | $7,378 | $1,703 | $43 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,487 | $6,457 | $1,490 | $37 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current It Operations Specialist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
TCWGlobal
Sunnyvale, CA
TCWGlobal | Sunnyvale, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Job Title: IT Operations Specialist. Location. Sunnyvale, CA 94086 (. Onsite – Local Candidates Only. ). Duration. 3–6 Mo... more
7 Days Ago
Blach Construction
San Jose, CA
Blach Construction | San Jose, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Salary: $75,000-$95,000 DOE. Position Available (Immediately). Title:IT Operations and Endpoint Specialist. Reports to:Di... more
8 Days Ago
Institute of Foundation Models
Sunnyvale, CA
Institute of Foundation Models | Sunnyvale, CA
Job Description. Job Description. About the Institute of Foundation Models. We are a dedicated research lab for building, understanding, using, and risk-ma... more
10 Days Ago
Hope The Mission
Los Angeles, CA
Hope The Mission | Los Angeles, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Hope Mission Statement. The mission of Hope the Mission is to prevent, reduce and eliminate poverty, hunger, and homeless... more
6 Days Ago
Wilson Construction Co.
Rancho Cordova, CA
Wilson Construction Co. | Rancho Cordova, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Salary: $33-38/hour. Job Title: IT Specialist (Help Desk & Software Review). Location: Rancho Cordova, CA. We are seeking... more
6 Days Ago
Valen Talent Partners LLC
Petaluma, CA
Valen Talent Partners LLC | Petaluma, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Title: IT Specialist. Reports to: Director of IT Support. Hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm, Monday – Friday (Flexible hours, On-Sit... more
6 Days Ago
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