Operations Manager Salary Information

Key takeaways

Operations managers have high earning potential in the United States. Below are some important facts to know: 

• The annual median total salary for an operations manager is $105,000 [1]. 

• The top-paying states for operations managers are Delaware, New Jersey, and New York. 

• You can enhance your career prospects as an operations manager by earning the Certified Operations Manager (COM) credential. 

Explore what operations managers do, the factors that can impact how much you make, and how you can become an operations manager. Afterward, if you’re ready to enhance your leadership skills to succeed in this managerial role, consider enrolling in the Leading People and Teams Specialization. You’ll have the opportunity to learn how to create and communicate your vision as a leader.

What does an operations manager do?

An operations manager works with various departments to ensure a business runs smoothly and productively. While the industry in which you work and the company you work for might determine your day-to-day duties, these are some of the responsibilities you might have in this role:

• Planning and controlling operations and departmental budgets 

• Helping with hiring and training of new employees

• Maintaining inventory and ordering new stock as necessary

• Overseeing individual teams within your company, like finance, IT, or human resources 

• Reporting on the status of the company to executives and stakeholders

• Managing logistics and supply chain

• Developing company goals and policies

What is the average operations manager salary?

According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and several popular job listing websites, an operations manager may make an average annual salary ranging from $76,477 to $129,330. Here is the average operations manager salary from five unique resources as of February 2026:

Glassdoor salary information represents the median total pay. This figure includes base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Factors that influence an operations manager salary

Several factors determine how much you might make as an operations manager, including your education and experience level, the industry in which you work, and your geographic location. 

Education

At a minimum, operations managers typically have a bachelor's degree. However, earning a master's degree can help you advance your career and earn more money. Zippia reports the average annual salary for an operations manager with a bachelor's degree is $86,797, while a master's degree holder earns an average of $102,513 [5].

Experience 

As with any field, the more experience you have, the more money you may earn. For example, according to Glassdoor, a new operations manager with up to one year of experience may earn an annual median total salary of $82,000 [1]. Still, someone with four to six years of experience may earn $92,000 [1]. With 10 to 14 years of experience, the median total annual salary is $111,000, and someone with 15 or more years of experience might earn $131,000 [1]. All of these figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Industry

Operations managers work across all industries—some fields pay more than others. Take a look at a few samples of average annual base salary by industry, according to Glassdoor [1]: 

• Personal consumer services: $107,000

• Aerospace and defense: $139,000

• Education: $99,000

• Real estate: $105,000

• Health care: $110,000

• Financial services: $117,000

• Information technology: $137,000

• Legal: $116,000

• Agriculture: $94,000

• Manufacturing: $105,000

• Telecommunications: $118,000

All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of February 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Location

Your geographic location can also impact how much you make as an operations manager. According to Zippia, operations managers typically earn the highest annual salary in Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and the District of Columbia. In Kansas, Florida, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, operations managers usually earn the lowest average annual salaries [5]:

Operations manager job outlook 

According to the BLS, the need for top executives, including operations managers, is expected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034 [6]. This is as fast as the average compared to all other fields. The BLS also reports 331,000 projected openings per year on average for such positions, largely replacing those who retire or change occupations [6].

Pathways to becoming an operations manager

To become an operations manager, you'll typically start by earning a bachelor's degree, where you’ll hone your skills. Once you graduate, you might continue your education or start your career with entry-level management experience. Additionally, consider adding professional certifications to your resume to make you a more competitive candidate. 

Education

At a minimum, operations managers need a bachelor's degree, usually in business administration or a related field. Your degree program will help you gain foundational knowledge of finance, business communication, basic management principles, human resources, and leadership. 

You may also want to earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA), which can help make you a more competitive candidate when seeking jobs. You can earn your MBA right after earning your bachelor's degree or gain work experience first. 

Read more: Master of Business Administration (MBA) Guide

Skills

You'll want to make sure you hone your people skills before seeking a job as an operations manager. You learn these non-technical skills through various educational, work, and life experiences. While operations managers must master many skills, some of the most common that employers look for include:

• Communication (both written and oral)

• Leadership

• Organization

• Problem-solving

• Time management

• Adaptability and flexibility 

• Teamwork and collaboration

• Critical thinking

Work experience

You'll often need a few years of work experience before getting an operations manager job. Consider entry-level management positions or positions that support the current operations manager in an organization, such as supply chain or human resources roles. Another option is to start in a particular industry and work up to management, especially if you have a degree or previous experience and interest in that area. 

Professional certifications

In addition to gaining work experience and education, adding professional certifications can help you hone your skills and possibly give you a competitive edge over other job candidates. Certifications show an employer how dedicated you are to your career and that you have learned or honed skills important to the job. 

One relevant certification you might pursue is the Certified Operations Manager (COM) offered by the American Institute for Business Management and Communication (AIBMC).

Explore our free career-building resources 

Join Career Chat on LinkedIn to get weekly updates on popular skills, tools, and certifications. Discover more about starting a career in operations management with our other free digital resources:

• Watch on YouTube: How IBM’s Data Analyst Professional Certificate Enables Operations Managers, Engineers, & Analysts

• Weigh your options: What Should You Earn: A Certificate or a Degree?

• Enhance your workplace skills: Tips to Strengthen Your People Skills

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