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2026 Salary Data — Wichita, KS
Updated April 28, 2026

Operations Manager Salary in Wichita: $87K Median

Operations Managers in Wichita, KS earn between $55K and $149K per year.

That's -15% below the US national median of $102,450 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Operations Manager salary in Wichita, KS is $87,083 per year — -15% below the US national median of $102,450. Salaries range from $55,250 (entry, 25th percentile) to $148,750 (90th percentile). Operations Managers in Wichita earned approximately $18,931 in 2025, representing 360.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$87,083
+360.0% YoY · $7,257/mo
Entry
$55,250
0–2 years
Experienced
$123,250
5+ years
Top 10%
$148,750
Senior/lead
Operations Manager Salary — Wichita vs Nearby
Wichita
$87K
El Paso
$87K
+0% vs Wichita
Tulsa
$90K
-3% vs Wichita
Memphis
$90K
-3% vs Wichita

Free ATS scan · Wichita employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Operations Managers in Wichita

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

Wichita Job Market

Aerospace manufacturing capital ("Air Capital of the World").

Population
397K
Cost of Living
86
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.6%
Median Home
$180K

Top Industries in Wichita

Aerospace (Spirit, Cessna)HealthcareManufacturingEnergy

Top Employers Hiring Operations Managers

Major employers active in Wichita 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 — Wichita

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$55,250$87,083$148,750
Monthly$4,604$7,257$12,396
Weekly$1,063$1,675$2,861
Hourly$27$42$72

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($102,450) adjusted for Wichita's cost-of-living multiplier (0.85×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Operations Manager Take-Home Pay in Wichita

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$65,032.575
Per month$5,419
Biweekly paycheck$2,501
Effective tax rate25.3%

Tax Breakdown on $87,083

Gross salary$87,083
Federal income tax−$10,860.26
Kansas state tax−$4,528.316
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$6,661.85
Take-home (net)$65,032.575

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 — Wichita

Career-stage progression for Operations Managers in Wichita.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$50,830
2–3 yr$55,250
4–6 yr$89,250
7–10 yr$123,250
11–15 yr$145,435
15+ yr$136,000

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Wichita's 0.85× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+360.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$18,931
2026 median:$87,083
Change:+$68,152

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
$101,259
Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.

How to Negotiate Your Operations Manager Salary in Wichita

Walk-away anchor: $79,166 (offers below this are below market for Wichita).

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 $123K–$149K for experienced roles, citing Wichita market data and your specific Six Sigma/Process automation (RPA) expertise.

Operations Manager Salary FAQ — Wichita

What is the average Operations Manager salary in Wichita, KS?
The average Operations Manager salary in Wichita is $87,083 per year as of April 2026 — $7,257/month, $1,675/week, or about $42/hour. Salaries range from $55,250 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $148,750 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Wichita's cost-of-living multiplier (0.85×).
Is $87,083 a good Operations Manager salary in Wichita?
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. Wichita's cost-of-living index is 86 (vs 100 nationally), giving $87,083 a real purchasing power of approximately $101,259 in national terms. Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.
Can you live on $87,083 in Wichita?
Median local pay typically supports a single-earner family of four with a starter home, modest college savings, and standard healthcare costs covered. Stay under 25% of pre-tax income on rent. In this market, that is realistic on most professional salaries and leaves room for retirement contributions. For Wichita specifically (median home price $180,000), a $87,083 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $87,083 enough for a single person in Wichita?
A single adult in Wichita typically needs ~$38,700 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $87,083 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $87,083 enough for a couple in Wichita?
A couple (one earner) in Wichita typically needs ~$61,920 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $87,083 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $87,083 each ($174,166 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $87,083 enough for a family of 4 in Wichita?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Wichita typically needs ~$94,600 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $87,083 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 Wichita. Childcare costs in Wichita typically run $13K-$24K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Operations Manager in Wichita?
On a $87,083 Operations Manager salary in Wichita, KS, you take home approximately $65,032.575 per year ($5,419/month, $2,501 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $10,860.26, state $4,528.316, FICA $6,661.85. Effective tax rate: 25.3%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Operations Managers in Wichita earn compared to the US average?
Operations Managers in Wichita earn approximately 15% less than the US national median for this role ($102,450 nationally vs $87,083 in Wichita). However, Wichita's cost-of-living index of 86 means real purchasing power is approximately $101,259 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Operations Manager earn in Wichita?
Entry-level Operations Managers in Wichita typically start at around $55,250 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Operations Managers earn $123,250 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $148,750+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Operations Manager salaries in Wichita increase in 2026?
Yes — Operations Manager salaries in Wichita grew approximately 360.0% year-over-year, from $18,931 in 2025 to $87,083 in 2026 (+$68,152). 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 Wichita?
Operations manager roles growing 6%. Six Sigma and process automation skills in highest demand. Wichita's top industries include Aerospace (Spirit, Cessna), Healthcare, Manufacturing, 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 Wichita.
Who are the top employers hiring Operations Managers in Wichita?
Top employers hiring Operations Managers in or near Wichita 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 Wichita?
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 Wichita?
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 Wichita?
Bachelor's degree (MBA common at senior levels) is the typical path. However, Wichita'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 Wichita are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($102,450) by Wichita's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.85× — 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 Wichita

Project Manager →Business Analyst →

Operations Manager Salary in Other Cities

El Paso, TX$87KMemphis, TN$90KOklahoma City, OK$90KTulsa, OK$90K

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