Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an IT Operations Lead in Montana is $138,403 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $67.
However, an IT Operations Lead's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Recruit with AI
AI Onboarding
IT Operations Lead Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $151,050 | $12,588 | $2,905 | $73 |
| Average | $138,403 | $11,534 | $2,662 | $67 |
| 25th Percentile | $124,941 | $10,412 | $2,403 | $60 |
At Home Stores LLC - Billings, MT
Citizens Alliance Bank - Butte, MT
Amazon - Bozeman, MT
Borealis Fuels & Logistics - Billings Metropolitan Area, MT
An IT Operations Lead'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 Lead'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 |
|---|---|
| Entry Level IT Operations Lead | $131,310 |
| Intermediate Level IT Operations Lead | $132,338 |
| Senior Level IT Operations Lead | $133,365 |
| Specialist Level IT Operations Lead | $135,419 |
| Expert Level IT Operations Lead | $137,474 |
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 Leads. 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 Lead roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, IT Operations Lead positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view IT Operations Lead as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $193,764 | $93.0 | 40% |
| Biotechnology | $173,004 | $83.0 | 25% |
| Internet | $166,084 | $80.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $159,164 | $77.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $152,243 | $73.0 | 10% |
Understanding how an IT Operations Lead'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 | $151,050 | $12,588 | $2,905 | $73 |
| Average | $138,403 | $11,534 | $2,662 | $67 |
| 25th Percentile | $124,941 | $10,412 | $2,403 | $60 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current IT Operations Lead job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
BANK OF BRIDGER N A
Malta, MT
BANK OF BRIDGER N A | Malta, MT
Job Description. Job Description. Description. Join a Community Bank That Puts People First. Bank of Malta is seeking community-minded individuals who are ... more
5 Days Ago
WESCO International
Butte, MT
Flathead Electric Cooperative
Kalispell, MT
Flathead Electric Cooperative | Kalispell, MT
Job Description. Job Description. Operations Clerk. Position Open Until Filled. Union, Non-exempt, Full-Time. IBEW Union Position - Starting Wage: $27.08 p... more
6 Days Ago
Reciprocity Industries, LLC - Active
Billings Metropolitan Area, MT
Reciprocity Industries, LLC - Active | Billings Metropolitan Area, MT
Job Description. Job Description. Description. Our. Billings, Montana. office is currently seeking a full-time. Operations Supervisor. This is an on-site p... more
6 Days Ago
Ulta Beauty
Bozeman, MT
Ulta Beauty | Bozeman, MT
Ulta Beauty - - Responsibilities: Promote a culture of accountability to meet store goals related to retail and service sales, guest loyalty, payroll, omni... more
6 Days Ago
Mesa Laboratories
Bozeman, MT
Mesa Laboratories | Bozeman, MT
Are you looking for an opportunity to make a difference. At Mesa Labs we're passionate about protecting the vulnerable by enabling scientific breakthroughs... more
7 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
