Operations Manager Salary Information

From retail and manufacturing to government and nonprofits, operations managers work across almost every industry and handle various day-to-day tasks to ensure an organization meets its ultimate goals efficiently. 

Because it is not an entry-level role, you must gain some education and experience before starting. Still, the payoff can be rewarding, and the job outlook is positive for this job and those similar.

Continue reading to explore what operations managers do, the factors that can impact how much you make, and how you can become an operations manager to decide if this is your professional path.

What does an operations manager do?

An operations manager works with various departments to ensure a business runs smoothly and productively. While the industry in which you work and the company you work for might determine your day-to-day duties, these are some of the responsibilities you might have in this role:

• Planning and controlling operations and departmental budgets 

• Helping with hiring and training of new employees

• Maintaining inventory and ordering new stock as necessary

• Overseeing individual teams within your company, like finance, IT, or human resources 

• Reporting on the status of the company to executives and stakeholders

• Managing logistics and supply chain

• Developing company goals and policies

How much does an operations manager make?

According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and several popular job listing websites, an operations manager may make an average annual salary ranging from $74,142 to $129,330. Here is the average operations manager salary from six unique resources as of October 2024:

Factors that influence an operations manager salary

Several factors determine how much you might make as an operations manager, including your education and experience level, the industry in which you work, and your geographic location. 

Education

At a minimum, operations managers typically have a bachelor's degree. However, earning a master's degree can help you advance your career and earn more money. Zippia reports the average annual salary for an operations manager with a bachelor's degree is $86,797, while a master's degree holder earns an average of $102,513 [5].

Experience 

As with any field, the more experience you have, the more money you may earn. For example, according to Glassdoor, a new operations manager with up to one year of experience may earn an average annual base salary of $64,722. Still, someone with four to six years of experience may earn an average of $71,993. With 10 to 14 years of experience, the average annual salary is $86,284, and someone with 15 or more years of experience might earn an average of $96,904 [1].

Industry

Operations managers work across all industries—some fields pay more than others. Take a look at a few samples of average annual base salary by industry, according to Glassdoor [1]: 

• Personal consumer services: $81,987

• Aerospace and defense: $100,362

• Education: $73,592

• Real estate: $68,111

• Health care: $76,254

• Financial services: $107,079

• Information technology: $109,678

• Legal: $91,983

• Agriculture: $81,798

• Manufacturing: $90,405

• Telecommunications: $94,169

Location

Your geographic location can also impact how much you make as an operations manager. According to Zippia, operations managers typically earn the highest annual salary in Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Alaska. In Kansas, Florida, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, operation managers usually earn the lowest average annual salaries [5]:

Operations manager job outlook 

According to the BLS, the need for top executives, including operations managers, is expected to grow 6 percent from 2023 to 2023 [6]. This is faster than average compared to all other fields. The BLS also reports 343,800 projected openings per year on average for such positions, largely replacing those who retire or change occupations [6].

Pathways to becoming an operations manager

To become an operations manager, you'll typically start by earning a bachelor's degree, where you’ll hone your skills. Once you graduate, you might continue your education or start your career with entry-level management experience. Additionally, consider adding professional certifications to your resume to make you a more competitive candidate. 

Education

At a minimum, operations managers need a bachelor's degree, usually in business administration or a related field. Your degree program will help you gain foundational knowledge of finance, business communication, basic management principles, human resources, and leadership. 

You may also want to earn a master's degree in business administration (MBA), which can help make you a more competitive candidate when seeking jobs. You can earn your MBA right after earning your bachelor's degree or gain work experience first. 

Skills

You'll want to make sure you hone your people skills before seeking a job as an operations manager. You learn these non-technical skills through various educational, work, and life experiences. While operations managers must master many skills, some of the most common that employers look for include:

• Communication (both written and oral)

• Leadership

• Organization

• Problem-solving

• Time management

• Adaptability and flexibility 

• Teamwork and collaboration

• Critical thinking

Work experience

You'll often need a few years of work experience before getting an operations manager job. Consider entry-level management positions or positions that support the current operations manager in an organization, such as supply chain or human resources roles. Another option is to start in a particular industry and work up to management, especially if you have a degree or previous experience and interest in that area. 

Professional certifications

In addition to gaining work experience and education, adding professional certifications can help you hone your skills and possibly give you a competitive edge over other job candidates. Certifications show an employer how dedicated you are to your career and that you have learned or honed skills important to the job. 

One relevant certification you might pursue is the Certified Operations Manager (COM) offered by the American Institute for Business Management and Communications (AIBMC).

Getting started with Coursera

Operations managers work in almost every industry, ensuring that their organization meets its goals effectively. The job offers competitive wages and a positive growth outlook for the foreseeable future. 

As with almost any career, continuing your education often means improving your job performance, making yourself a more competitive candidate, and potentially increasing your salary. Taking online courses on Coursera is one way to learn more and hone your operations manager skills. 

Consider taking courses offered by some of the top educational institutions in the world, like Operations Analytics by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania or Supply Chain Operations by Rutgers.