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2026 Salary Data — Boston, MA
Updated April 28, 2026

Operations Manager Salary in Boston: $133K Median

Operations Managers in Boston, MA earn between $85K and $228K per year.

That's +30% above the US national median of $102,450 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Operations Manager salary in Boston, MA is $133,185 per year — +30% above the US national median of $102,450. Salaries range from $84,500 (entry, 25th percentile) to $227,500 (90th percentile). Operations Managers in Boston earned approximately $28,953 in 2025, representing 360.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$133,185
+360.0% YoY · $11,099/mo
Entry
$84,500
0–2 years
Experienced
$188,500
5+ years
Top 10%
$227,500
Senior/lead
Operations Manager Salary — Boston vs Nearby
Boston
$133K
San Diego
$121K
+10% vs Boston
Seattle
$135K
-2% vs Boston
Long Beach
$123K
+8% vs Boston

Free ATS scan · Boston employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Operations Managers in Boston

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

Core Responsibilities

  • Process improvement
  • Team leadership
  • Budget management
  • Vendor management
  • KPI tracking

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree (MBA common at senior levels)

In-demand certifications

Six Sigma (Black Belt)PMPCSCP (Supply Chain)CPIM

Boston Job Market

Premier biotech, healthcare, and education hub with major tech presence.

Population
692K
Cost of Living
162
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.4%
Median Home
$750K

Top Industries in Boston

HealthcareEducationBiotechTechFinance

Top Employers Hiring Operations Managers

Major employers active in Boston or hiring remotely from this metro.

Manufacturing companies
Retailers
Logistics firms
Healthcare systems
Tech companies

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Operations Manager listings.

Six SigmaProcess automation (RPA)Lean managementSupply chainAI tools

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

Six Sigmalean manufacturingprocess improvementteam leadershipbudget managementKPIsERP (SAP)
Career Outlook
+6% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

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

Operations Manager Salary Breakdown — Boston

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$84,500$133,185$227,500
Monthly$7,042$11,099$18,958
Weekly$1,625$2,561$4,375
Hourly$41$64$109

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($102,450) adjusted for Boston's cost-of-living multiplier (1.30×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Operations Manager Take-Home Pay in Boston

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$95,029.698
Per month$7,919
Biweekly paycheck$3,655
Effective tax rate28.6%

Tax Breakdown on $133,185

Gross salary$133,185
Federal income tax−$21,307.4
Massachusetts state tax−$6,659.25
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$10,188.653
Take-home (net)$95,029.698

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Operations Manager Salary by Experience — Boston

Career-stage progression for Operations Managers in Boston.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$77,740
2–3 yr$84,500
4–6 yr$136,500
7–10 yr$188,500
11–15 yr$222,430
15+ yr$208,000

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Boston's 1.30× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+360.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$28,953
2026 median:$133,185
Change:+$104,232

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

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$82,213
Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.

How to Negotiate Your Operations Manager Salary in Boston

Walk-away anchor: $121,077 (offers below this are below market for Boston).

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 Salary, 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."

Anchor on $189K–$228K for experienced roles, citing Boston market data and your specific Six Sigma/Process automation (RPA) expertise.

Operations Manager Salary FAQ — Boston

What is the average Operations Manager salary in Boston, MA?
The average Operations Manager salary in Boston is $133,185 per year as of April 2026 — $11,099/month, $2,561/week, or about $64/hour. Salaries range from $84,500 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $227,500 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Boston's cost-of-living multiplier (1.30×).
Is $133,185 a good Operations Manager salary in Boston?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Boston's cost-of-living index is 162 (vs 100 nationally), giving $133,185 a real purchasing power of approximately $82,213 in national terms. Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.
Can you live on $133,185 in Boston?
Median pay is below HUD's low-income threshold for a family of four in some of these metros (notably San Francisco, where $104K qualifies as 'low income'). Raising a family on the median typically requires two earners, a long commute, or family help with housing. Spending 30% on rent is impossible at the median in this market - most workers spend 40-50% or take roommates well into their 30s. HUD classifies anything over 30% as 'cost-burdened' here. For Boston specifically (median home price $750,000), a $133,185 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $133,185 enough for a single person in Boston?
A single adult in Boston typically needs ~$72,900 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $133,185 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $133,185 enough for a couple in Boston?
A couple (one earner) in Boston typically needs ~$116,640 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $133,185 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $133,185 each ($266,370 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $133,185 enough for a family of 4 in Boston?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Boston typically needs ~$178,200 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $133,185 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Boston. Childcare costs in Boston typically run $24K-$45K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Operations Manager in Boston?
On a $133,185 Operations Manager salary in Boston, MA, you take home approximately $95,029.698 per year ($7,919/month, $3,655 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $21,307.4, state $6,659.25, FICA $10,188.653. Effective tax rate: 28.6%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Operations Managers in Boston earn compared to the US average?
Operations Managers in Boston earn approximately 30% more than the US national median for this role ($102,450 nationally vs $133,185 in Boston). However, Boston's cost-of-living index of 162 means real purchasing power is approximately $82,213 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Operations Manager earn in Boston?
Entry-level Operations Managers in Boston typically start at around $84,500 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Operations Managers earn $188,500 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $227,500+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Operations Manager salaries in Boston increase in 2026?
Yes — Operations Manager salaries in Boston grew approximately 360.0% year-over-year, from $28,953 in 2025 to $133,185 in 2026 (+$104,232). This reflects the broader Operations sector's compensation trend, driven by Six Sigma and Process automation (RPA) demand.
What's the job outlook for Operations Managers in Boston?
Operations manager roles growing 6%. Six Sigma and process automation skills in highest demand. Boston's top industries include Healthcare, Education, Biotech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.4% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
What skills are most in demand for Operations Managers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Operations Managers are: Six Sigma, Process automation (RPA), Lean management, Supply chain, AI tools. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Boston.
Who are the top employers hiring Operations Managers in Boston?
Top employers hiring Operations Managers in or near Boston 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 get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Operations Manager salary in Boston?
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 negotiations: 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 for: 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.
How can I increase my Operations Manager salary in Boston?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Six Sigma, Process automation (RPA), Lean management) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., Six Sigma (Black Belt) or PMP). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Operations Manager in Boston?
Bachelor's degree (MBA common at senior levels) is the typical path. However, Boston's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Operations roles.

Methodology & Sources

Operations Manager salary figures for Boston are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($102,450) by Boston's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.30× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (360.0%) reflects the Operations sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Boston

Project Manager →Business Analyst →

Operations Manager Salary in Other Cities

Los Angeles, CA$131KSeattle, WA$135KWashington, DC$133K

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