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2026 Salary Data — Houston, TX
Updated April 28, 2026

Operations Manager Salary in Houston: $108K Median

Operations Managers in Houston, TX earn between $68K and $184K per year.

That's +5% above the US national median of $102,450 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Operations Manager salary in Houston, TX is $107,573 per year — +5% above the US national median of $102,450. Salaries range from $68,250 (entry, 25th percentile) to $183,750 (90th percentile). Operations Managers in Houston earned approximately $23,385 in 2025, representing 360.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$107,573
+360.0% YoY · $8,964/mo
Entry
$68,250
0–2 years
Experienced
$152,250
5+ years
Top 10%
$183,750
Senior/lead
Operations Manager Salary — Houston vs Nearby
Houston
$108K
San Antonio
$95K
+13% vs Houston
Dallas
$108K
+0% vs Houston
Austin
$118K
-9% vs Houston

Free ATS scan · Houston employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Operations Managers in Houston

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

Houston Job Market

Energy capital with massive medical center and growing tech presence.

Population
2320K
Cost of Living
96
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.5%
Median Home
$320K

Top Industries in Houston

Energy/Oil & GasHealthcareAerospace (NASA)Manufacturing

Top Employers Hiring Operations Managers

Major employers active in Houston 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 — Houston

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$68,250$107,573$183,750
Monthly$5,688$8,964$15,313
Weekly$1,313$2,069$3,534
Hourly$33$52$88

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($102,450) adjusted for Houston's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Operations Manager Take-Home Pay in Houston

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$83,975.606
Per month$6,998
Biweekly paycheck$3,230
Effective tax rate21.9%

Tax Breakdown on $107,573

Gross salary$107,573
Federal income tax−$15,368.06
Texas state tax−$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$8,229.335
Take-home (net)$83,975.606

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 — Houston

Career-stage progression for Operations Managers in Houston.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$62,790
2–3 yr$68,250
4–6 yr$110,250
7–10 yr$152,250
11–15 yr$179,655
15+ yr$168,000

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Houston's 1.05× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+360.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$23,385
2026 median:$107,573
Change:+$84,188

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

Is This A Good Salary?

Excellent

Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$112,055
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 Houston

Walk-away anchor: $97,794 (offers below this are below market for Houston).

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 $152K–$184K for experienced roles, citing Houston market data and your specific Six Sigma/Process automation (RPA) expertise.

Operations Manager Salary FAQ — Houston

What is the average Operations Manager salary in Houston, TX?
The average Operations Manager salary in Houston is $107,573 per year as of April 2026 — $8,964/month, $2,069/week, or about $52/hour. Salaries range from $68,250 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $183,750 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Houston's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×).
Is $107,573 a good Operations Manager salary in Houston?
Excellent. Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic. Houston's cost-of-living index is 96 (vs 100 nationally), giving $107,573 a real purchasing power of approximately $112,055 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 $107,573 in Houston?
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 Houston specifically (median home price $320,000), a $107,573 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $107,573 enough for a single person in Houston?
A single adult in Houston typically needs ~$43,200 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $107,573 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $107,573 enough for a couple in Houston?
A couple (one earner) in Houston typically needs ~$69,120 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $107,573 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $107,573 each ($215,146 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $107,573 enough for a family of 4 in Houston?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Houston typically needs ~$105,600 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $107,573 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — a family of 4 can afford this metro on a single Operations Manager income with prudent budgeting. Childcare costs in Houston typically run $14K-$27K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Operations Manager in Houston?
On a $107,573 Operations Manager salary in Houston, TX, you take home approximately $83,975.606 per year ($6,998/month, $3,230 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $15,368.06, state $0, FICA $8,229.335. Effective tax rate: 21.9%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Operations Managers in Houston earn compared to the US average?
Operations Managers in Houston earn approximately 5% more than the US national median for this role ($102,450 nationally vs $107,573 in Houston). However, Houston's cost-of-living index of 96 means real purchasing power is approximately $112,055 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Operations Manager earn in Houston?
Entry-level Operations Managers in Houston typically start at around $68,250 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Operations Managers earn $152,250 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $183,750+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Operations Manager salaries in Houston increase in 2026?
Yes — Operations Manager salaries in Houston grew approximately 360.0% year-over-year, from $23,385 in 2025 to $107,573 in 2026 (+$84,188). 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 Houston?
Operations manager roles growing 6%. Six Sigma and process automation skills in highest demand. Houston's top industries include Energy/Oil & Gas, Healthcare, Aerospace (NASA), and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.5% — steady demand for skilled workers.
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 Houston.
Who are the top employers hiring Operations Managers in Houston?
Top employers hiring Operations Managers in or near Houston 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 Houston?
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 Houston?
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 Houston?
Bachelor's degree (MBA common at senior levels) is the typical path. However, Houston'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 Houston are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($102,450) by Houston's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.05× — 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 Houston

Project Manager →Business Analyst →

Operations Manager Salary in Other Cities

Chicago, IL$108KPhiladelphia, PA$107KSan Antonio, TX$95KDallas, TX$108KAustin, TX$118KFort Worth, TX$104KCharlotte, NC$104KEl Paso, TX$87K

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