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System Operations Manager Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a System Operations Manager in the United States is $106,088 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $51.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $130,402
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $92,521 to $118,815
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $80,169
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence System Operations Manager Salaries

A System 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 System Operations Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a System 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $65,819
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $94,297
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $107,030
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $145,086
  • Expert (over 8 years): $201,377
Levels Salary
Operation... Level System Operations Manager$65,819
Operation... Level System Operations Manager$94,297
System Op... Level System Operations Manager$107,030
Senior Op... Level System Operations Manager$145,086
Operation... Level System Operations Manager$201,377
View as Graph

How Do System 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 System Operations Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $117,461.
  • California: $117,015.
  • Massachusetts: $115,456.

Top Paying Cities for System 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: $133,809
  • San Francisco: $132,344
  • Oakland: $129,555

What Skills Can Increase a System 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%
See More Skills

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 System 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 $116,697
10%
Analytical Skills $114,575
8%
Influencing $113,514
7%
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System Operations Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For System 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, System Operations Manager positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view System Operations Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a System Operations Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Business Services$114,575$55.08%
Construction$114,575$55.08%
Insurance$113,514$55.07%
Aerospace & Defense$111,392$54.05%
Energy & Utilities$111,392$54.05%

How Education impacts a System Operations Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many System 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 System Operations Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $114,075 and $121,293).

System Operations Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for System 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%
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System Operations Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a System 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
$92,521
Average $106,088/year
$118,815
$7,710
Average $8,841/month
$9,901
$1,779
Average $2,040/week
$2,285
$44
Average $51/hour
$57
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $118,815 $9,901 $2,285 $57
Average $106,088 $8,841 $2,040 $51
25th Percentile $92,521 $7,710 $1,779 $44

Most common benefits for System Operations Manager

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

Common company salaries for System Operations Manager

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

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FAQ about System Operations Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for System Operations Manager?

The Business Services industry offers the highest average compensation for System 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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