Head of Operations Salary in the United States

How much does a Head of Operations make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Head of Operations in the United States is $310,475 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $149.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $361,769
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $277,383 to $337,324
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $247,254
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View as table View as graph 25% $277,383 10% $247,254 90% $361,769 75% $337,324 $310,475 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Head of Operations Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $337,324 $28,110 $6,487 $162
Average $310,475 $25,873 $5,971 $149
25th Percentile $277,383 $23,115 $5,334 $133
Check out Head of Operations Job Openings in the United States
Head of Operations

Confidential - Columbus, OH

Head of Operations

Confidential - Columbus, OH

Head of Operations

Confidential - Columbus, OH

Director Head of Sales Operations

Confidential - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Head of Operations Salaries

A Head of Operations'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 Head of Operations Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Head of Operations'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): $104,344
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $141,447
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $196,310
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $225,603
  • Expert (over 8 years): $308,501
Levels Salary
Operation... Level Head of Operations$104,344
Senior Op... Level Head of Operations$141,447
Operation... Level Head of Operations$196,310
Divisiona... Level Head of Operations$225,603
Head of O... Level Head of Operations$308,501
$104,344 0 yr
$141,447 < 2 yrs
$196,310 2-4 yrs
$225,603 5-8 yrs
$308,501 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Head of Operations

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: $391,602
  • San Francisco: $387,314
  • Oakland: $379,152

What Skills Can Increase a Head of Operations's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 19.07% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Financial Services (Mentioned in 1.32% Job Postings): A services provided by the finance industry, which encompasses a broad range of businesses that manage money. These services involve banking, brokerage, mortgages, credit cards, payment services, real estate, investment funds, taxes and accounting.
  • Operations Management (Mentioned in 1.03% Job Postings): Operations management is an area of management concerned with designing and controlling the process of production and redesigning business operations in the production of goods or services. It involves the responsibility of ensuring that business operations are efficient in terms of using as few resources as needed and effective in terms of meeting customer requirements. Operations management is primarily concerned with planning, organizing and supervising in the contexts of production, manufacturing or the provision of services. It is concerned with managing an entire production system which is the process that converts inputs (in the forms of raw materials, labor, and energy) into outputs (in the form of goods and/or services), or delivers a product or services. Operations produce products, manage quality and creates service. Operation management covers sectors like banking systems, hospitals, companies, working with suppliers, customers, and using technology. Operations is one of the major functions in an organization along with supply chains, marketing, finance and human resources. The operations function requires management of both the strategic and day-to-day production of goods and services.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 19.07%
Financial Services 1.32%
Operations Management 1.03%
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 Head of Operations's salary.
  • Operations Management: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Operations Management
$350,837
13%
Innovation
$347,732
12%
Insight
$347,732
12%
Collaboration
$344,627
11%
Business Operations
$344,627
11%
Strategic Planning
$341,523
10%
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Head of Operations Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Head of Operations roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Construction and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Head of Operations positions in Energy & Utilities or Biotechnology typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Head of Operations as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Head of Operations

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Construction$388,094$187.025%
Business Services$372,570$179.020%
Insurance$357,046$172.015%
Financial Services$341,522$164.010%
MFG Nondurable$341,522$164.010%

How Education impacts a Head of Operations's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Head of Operations 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 Head of Operations with a Bachelor's Degree is between $297,505 and $327,501).

Head of Operations Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Head of Operations
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.9%
High School 7.4%
Associates 5.1%
Bachelors 40.6%
Masters 42.3%
Doctorate 3.6%
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Head of Operations Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Head of Operations'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

Salary Trends for Head of Operations

Salaries for a Head of Operations can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $229,672 in 2023 to around $225,891 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Head of Operations salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Head of Operations Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$229,672
2024
$229,884
2025
$225,891
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $229,672
2024 $229,884
2025 $225,891
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Head of Operations

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

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

Find Your Next Head of Operations Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Head of Operations job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Head of U.S. Commercial Operations. About the Company. Innovative piano practice app for serious learners. Industry. Higher Education. Type. Privately Held... more

    5 Days Ago

  • ADB SAFEGATE

    Columbus, OH

    ADB SAFEGATE | Columbus, OH

    Smarter, Better, Now.ADB SAFEGATE's functional teams are integral to powering innovation and ensuring operational excellence across the organization.The Op... more

    5 Days Ago

  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Emergency Medicine Physician Needed near Columbus, Ohio. An excellent opportunity for a full-time EM Physician to join an Emergency Department team near Co... more

    1 Day Ago

  • Continuum Medical Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    Continuum Medical Staffing | Columbus, OH

    PSYCHIATRIST- CHILD/ADOLESCENT COLUMBUS OHIO We are seeking a Board-Certified Child/ Adolescent Psychiatrist for a permanent position in Columbus Ohio No V... more

    2 Days Ago

  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Neurologist Locum Tenens Opportunity Near Columbus, OH. We are excited to offer a rewarding locum tenens opportunity for a Board Certified or Board Eligibl... more

    2 Days Ago

  • C.R. England

    Columbus, OH

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. \n. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full ... more

    14 Days Ago

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FAQ about Head of Operations

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Head of Operations?

The Construction industry offers the highest average compensation for Head of Operations roles, with salaries approximately 25% 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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