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2026 Operations Manager Salary Data
Updated April 28, 2026

Operations Manager Salary: $102K US Median

Operations managers oversee daily business operations, optimize processes, manage teams, and drive efficiency.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the US national median Operations Manager salary is $102,450 per year. Operations Managers earn between $65,000 (entry, 25th percentile) and $175,000 (90th percentile). Highest-paying cities: San Francisco ($159K), Oakland ($143K), New York ($138K). Year-over-year growth: 360.0% from 2025.

National Median
$102,450
+360.0% YoY
Entry Level
$65,000
Experienced
$145,000
Top 10%
$175,000

Operations Manager Salary by Years of Experience

How Operations Manager pay scales over a career — US national averages.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$59,800
2–3 yr$65,000
4–6 yr$105,000
7–10 yr$145,000
11–15 yr$171,100
15+ yr$160,000

Curve derived from BLS percentile data; actual progression varies by employer, location, and specialty.

Operations Manager Salary by City

All 50 top US metros, sorted by salary level. Click any city for the full breakdown.

CityMedian
San Francisco, CA$158,798
Oakland, CA$143,430
New York, NY$138,308
Seattle, WA$135,234
Washington, DC$133,185
Boston, MA$133,185
Los Angeles, CA$131,136
Long Beach, CA$122,940
San Diego, CA$120,891
Austin, TX$117,817
Denver, CO$112,695
Portland, OR$112,695
Baltimore, MD$112,695
Minneapolis, MN$112,695
Sacramento, CA$110,646
Chicago, IL$107,573
Houston, TX$107,573
Dallas, TX$107,573
Atlanta, GA$107,573
Raleigh, NC$107,573
Miami, FL$107,573
Philadelphia, PA$106,548
Fort Worth, TX$104,499
Charlotte, NC$104,499
Phoenix, AZ$102,450
Nashville, TN$102,450
Colorado Springs, CO$102,450
Arlington, TX$102,450
Mesa, AZ$100,401
Virginia Beach, VA$100,401
Columbus, OH$99,377
Omaha, NE$99,377
Las Vegas, NV$97,328
Milwaukee, WI$97,328
Fresno, CA$97,328
Kansas City, MO$97,328
San Antonio, TX$95,279
Indianapolis, IN$95,279
Detroit, MI$95,279
Jacksonville, FL$94,254
New Orleans, LA$94,254
Cleveland, OH$94,254
Louisville, KY$93,230
Albuquerque, NM$92,205
Tucson, AZ$92,205
Memphis, TN$90,156
Oklahoma City, OK$90,156
Tulsa, OK$90,156
El Paso, TX$87,083
Wichita, KS$87,083

Hot 2026 Skills

Six SigmaProcess automation (RPA)Lean managementSupply chainAI tools

ATS Keywords

Six Sigmalean manufacturingprocess improvementteam leadershipbudget managementKPIsERP (SAP)

Top Employers

Manufacturing companiesRetailersLogistics firmsHealthcare systemsTech companies

Certifications

Six Sigma (Black Belt)PMPCSCP (Supply Chain)CPIM
Year-Over-Year Trend

+360.0% vs 2025

2025 Median
$22,272
2026 Median
$102,450
Change
+$80,178

Operations sector growth driven by demand for Six Sigma and Process automation (RPA).

How to Negotiate Your Operations Manager Salary

Walk-away anchor: $93,136 (offers below this are below market for experienced candidates).

Leverage Points

  • Quantified savings: dollars cut from COGS, hours of process time saved
  • Six Sigma Black Belt, PMP, CSCP certifications carry pay premiums
  • P&L responsibility and headcount managed
  • ERP / automation experience (SAP, NetSuite, Workday, RPA tooling)

Beyond Base, Negotiate

Annual performance bonus tied to operational KPIsPMP, Six Sigma, CSCP certification reimbursementProfit-share or long-term incentive plan (LTIP)Relocation package for plant / DC rolesTuition reimbursement (often MBA-eligible)

What To Say

"I delivered $X in annualized savings in my last role through process redesign. With my PMP and Black Belt, I'm targeting $X base plus a performance bonus tied to operational KPIs."

Career Outlook
+6% Growth (2024-2034)

Operations manager roles growing 6%. Six Sigma and process automation skills in highest demand.

Education Path

Bachelor's degree (MBA common at senior levels)

Operations Manager Salary FAQ

What is the average Operations Manager salary in the US in 2026?
The 2026 US national median Operations Manager salary is $102,450 per year. Entry-level (25th percentile) starts at $65,000, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $175,000 or more. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, blended with 2026 market data from Levels.fyi, Glassdoor, and Robert Half.
Did Operations Manager salaries increase in 2026?
Yes — Operations Manager salaries grew approximately 360.0% year-over-year, from $22,272 in 2025 to $102,450 in 2026 (+$80,178). This reflects the Operations sector's 2025-2026 wage growth, driven by demand for Six Sigma and Process automation (RPA).
Which US cities pay Operations Managers the most in 2026?
The 5 highest-paying US cities for Operations Managers: San Francisco, CA ($159K); Oakland, CA ($143K); New York, NY ($138K); Seattle, WA ($135K); Washington, DC ($133K). Note these higher salaries usually correspond to higher cost-of-living — see individual city pages for purchasing-power-adjusted figures.
Which US cities have the lowest Operations Manager salaries?
Lowest-paying metros for Operations Managers: Wichita ($87K), El Paso ($87K), Tulsa ($90K). However, these cities also have proportionally lower cost-of-living, so real purchasing power may exceed expensive metros.
What's the job outlook for Operations Managers?
Operations manager roles growing 6%. Six Sigma and process automation skills in highest demand. BLS projects 6% employment growth from 2024-2034 — faster than average compared to all US occupations.
What skills are most valuable for Operations Managers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills are: Six Sigma, Process automation (RPA), Lean management, Supply chain, AI tools. These appear in the highest-paying job listings, command 15-30% salary premiums, and are heavily weighted by ATS keyword filters. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate.
What education is needed to become a Operations Manager?
Bachelor's degree (MBA common at senior levels). However, the 2026 market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly in Operations. Top recognized credentials: Six Sigma (Black Belt), PMP, CSCP (Supply Chain).
How do I negotiate a higher Operations Manager salary?
I delivered $X in annualized savings in my last role through process redesign. With my PMP and Black Belt, I'm targeting $X base plus a performance bonus tied to operational KPIs. Key leverage points for Operations: Quantified savings: dollars cut from COGS, hours of process time saved; Six Sigma Black Belt, PMP, CSCP certifications carry pay premiums; P&L responsibility and headcount managed. Beyond base salary, negotiate: Annual performance bonus tied to operational KPIs, PMP, Six Sigma, CSCP certification reimbursement, Profit-share or long-term incentive plan (LTIP), Relocation package for plant / DC roles.
Who are the top employers hiring Operations Managers?
Major US employers hiring Operations Managers include: Manufacturing companies, Retailers, Logistics firms, Healthcare systems, Tech companies. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even reach a human recruiter.
What does an entry-level Operations Manager make in their first year?
Entry-level (0–1 year) Operations Managers typically earn around $59,800. By year 2–3, salary climbs to $65,000. With 7–10 years of experience, Operations Managers earn $145,000 on average. Senior/lead roles (15+ years) reach $160,000 or more.

Methodology & Sources

National Operations Manager salary figures derive from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, blended with 2026 market data from Levels.fyi, Glassdoor, and Robert Half. Per-city figures apply each metro's cost-of-living multiplier (BEA Regional Price Parities). Year-over-year change (360.0%) reflects the Operations sector's wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

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