90% OFF - $9.99
11:59:59
Claim Lifetime Deal
2026 Salary Data — Denver, CO
Updated April 28, 2026

Operations Manager Salary in Denver: $113K Median

Operations Managers in Denver, CO earn between $72K and $193K per year.

That's +10% above the US national median of $102,450 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Operations Manager salary in Denver, CO is $112,695 per year — +10% above the US national median of $102,450. Salaries range from $71,500 (entry, 25th percentile) to $192,500 (90th percentile). Operations Managers in Denver earned approximately $24,499 in 2025, representing 360.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$112,695
+360.0% YoY · $9,391/mo
Entry
$71,500
0–2 years
Experienced
$159,500
5+ years
Top 10%
$192,500
Senior/lead
Operations Manager Salary — Denver vs Nearby
Denver
$113K
Colorado Springs
$102K
+10% vs Denver
Baltimore
$113K
+0% vs Denver
Austin
$118K
-4% vs Denver

Free ATS scan · Denver employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Operations Managers in Denver

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

Denver Job Market

Growing tech and aerospace hub with strong outdoor lifestyle appeal.

Population
716K
Cost of Living
115
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.6%
Median Home
$575K

Top Industries in Denver

AerospaceTechEnergyFinanceTourism

Top Employers Hiring Operations Managers

Major employers active in Denver 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 — Denver

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$71,500$112,695$192,500
Monthly$5,958$9,391$16,042
Weekly$1,375$2,167$3,702
Hourly$34$54$93

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($102,450) adjusted for Denver's cost-of-living multiplier (1.10×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Operations Manager Take-Home Pay in Denver

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$82,620.353
Per month$6,885
Biweekly paycheck$3,178
Effective tax rate26.7%

Tax Breakdown on $112,695

Gross salary$112,695
Federal income tax−$16,494.9
Colorado state tax−$4,958.58
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$8,621.168
Take-home (net)$82,620.353

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 — Denver

Career-stage progression for Operations Managers in Denver.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$65,780
2–3 yr$71,500
4–6 yr$115,500
7–10 yr$159,500
11–15 yr$188,210
15+ yr$176,000

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Denver's 1.10× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+360.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$24,499
2026 median:$112,695
Change:+$88,196

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
$97,996
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Operations Manager Salary in Denver

Walk-away anchor: $102,450 (offers below this are below market for Denver).

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 $160K–$193K for experienced roles, citing Denver market data and your specific Six Sigma/Process automation (RPA) expertise.

Operations Manager Salary FAQ — Denver

What is the average Operations Manager salary in Denver, CO?
The average Operations Manager salary in Denver is $112,695 per year as of April 2026 — $9,391/month, $2,167/week, or about $54/hour. Salaries range from $71,500 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $192,500 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Denver's cost-of-living multiplier (1.10×).
Is $112,695 a good Operations Manager salary in Denver?
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. Denver's cost-of-living index is 115 (vs 100 nationally), giving $112,695 a real purchasing power of approximately $97,996 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $112,695 in Denver?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Denver specifically (median home price $575,000), a $112,695 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $112,695 enough for a single person in Denver?
A single adult in Denver typically needs ~$51,750 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $112,695 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $112,695 enough for a couple in Denver?
A couple (one earner) in Denver typically needs ~$82,800 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $112,695 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $112,695 each ($225,390 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $112,695 enough for a family of 4 in Denver?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Denver typically needs ~$126,500 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $112,695 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 Denver. Childcare costs in Denver typically run $17K-$32K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Operations Manager in Denver?
On a $112,695 Operations Manager salary in Denver, CO, you take home approximately $82,620.353 per year ($6,885/month, $3,178 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $16,494.9, state $4,958.58, FICA $8,621.168. Effective tax rate: 26.7%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Operations Managers in Denver earn compared to the US average?
Operations Managers in Denver earn approximately 10% more than the US national median for this role ($102,450 nationally vs $112,695 in Denver). However, Denver's cost-of-living index of 115 means real purchasing power is approximately $97,996 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Operations Manager earn in Denver?
Entry-level Operations Managers in Denver typically start at around $71,500 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Operations Managers earn $159,500 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $192,500+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Operations Manager salaries in Denver increase in 2026?
Yes — Operations Manager salaries in Denver grew approximately 360.0% year-over-year, from $24,499 in 2025 to $112,695 in 2026 (+$88,196). 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 Denver?
Operations manager roles growing 6%. Six Sigma and process automation skills in highest demand. Denver's top industries include Aerospace, Tech, Energy, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.6% — 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 Denver.
Who are the top employers hiring Operations Managers in Denver?
Top employers hiring Operations Managers in or near Denver 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 Denver?
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 Denver?
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 Denver?
Bachelor's degree (MBA common at senior levels) is the typical path. However, Denver'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 Denver are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($102,450) by Denver's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.10× — 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 Denver

Project Manager →Business Analyst →

Operations Manager Salary in Other Cities

Austin, TX$118KPortland, OR$113KBaltimore, MD$113KSacramento, CA$111KColorado Springs, CO$102KMinneapolis, MN$113K

Land a $113K+ Operations Manager Role in Denver

Knowing the salary is step one. Step two: getting past the ATS. CVCraft scans your resume, finds missing keywords, and fixes formatting issues in 60 seconds.

Scan My Resume Free

No signup required · Works for all Operations roles