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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Real salary distribution from 288 tracked cities across 46 states. Compare entry-level, median, and senior compensation — then adjust for cost of living.
Pull up a cost-of-living calculator alongside this data — that's where the real insight lives. The national median salary for Operations Managers in 2026 is $136,871, with entry-level positions averaging $98,547 and senior roles reaching $194,356. But those numbers flatten a reality with enormous geographic variation — Santa Clara pays a median of $254,765, while other markets fall well below the national average. We tracked 288 cities to build the complete picture.
A career as a Operations Manager sits at the intersection of Management and Leadership & Operations. Most professionals enter with Bachelor's degree, and the field is characterized by growing. The work itself is hybrid management. Understanding that context matters: it explains why certain markets pay premiums and others lag.
$148,570 separates the highest and lowest-paying cities. A Operations Manager in Santa Clara, California earns a median of $254,765 — $148,570 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($106,195). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent. Cost-adjusted, this occupation outearns its reputation.
Breaking down the numbers: entry-level Operations Managers average $98,547, the median sits at $136,871, and senior earners pull in $194,356. That $95,809 gap represents the full earning trajectory of this career. The median is $56,504 above the national median household income of $80,367 — meaning even a mid-career professional in this field outearns the typical American household.
The city-level data complicates the national narrative. The top 3 paying cities (Santa Clara, Irvine, San Francisco) average $241,154 — while the bottom 3 (Toledo, Jackson, Macon) average $108,806. That $132,348 gap means choosing the right city could be the equivalent of a major promotion. In the right market, this is a six-figure career path.
A Operations Manager in Santa Clara, California earns a median of $254,765 — $148,570 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($106,195). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent.
The national average entry-level (P10) salary for Operations Manager is $98,547, while senior-level (P90) earners average $194,356. That $95,809 trajectory represents the earning growth a career in this field can deliver.
Hawaii pays the highest average median salary for Operations Managers at $173,867 across 1 tracked cities. The gap between #1 and #5 (New Hampshire at $142,792) is $31,075.
At the 90th percentile, Operations Managers pull in an average of $194,356. In the top-paying markets, that figure climbs even higher — making this one of the more lucrative career trajectories in its field.
| Country | Coverage | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 288 | $98,547 | $136,871 | $194,356 |
| United Kingdom | 27 | £50,030 | £69,486 | £98,669 |
| Canada | 21 | CA$67,087 | CA$93,177 | CA$132,311 |
| Australia | 13 | A$80,297 | A$111,523 | A$158,363 |
| Sweden | 24 | 458,217 kr | 636,413 kr | 903,706 kr |
| State | Cities | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 1 | $125,184 | $173,867 | $246,891 |
| California | 61 | $112,474 | $156,214 | $221,824 |
| Massachusetts | 4 | $108,427 | $150,593 | $213,842 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | $105,584 | $146,644 | $208,234 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $102,810 | $142,792 | $202,765 |
| Washington | 8 | $100,753 | $139,935 | $198,707 |
| Oregon | 5 | $99,629 | $138,374 | $196,491 |
| Colorado | 11 | $99,104 | $137,644 | $195,454 |
| South Carolina | 3 | $99,050 | $137,570 | $195,349 |
| New York | 5 | $98,576 | $136,911 | $194,413 |
| Illinois | 5 | $98,354 | $136,603 | $193,976 |
| Nevada | 5 | $97,226 | $135,036 | $191,751 |
| Virginia | 7 | $97,170 | $134,959 | $191,642 |
| Idaho | 3 | $97,170 | $134,959 | $191,642 |
| Utah | 4 | $96,361 | $133,835 | $190,046 |
| Florida | 22 | $96,271 | $133,710 | $189,868 |
| Arizona | 12 | $96,176 | $133,578 | $189,681 |
| New Jersey | 4 | $96,061 | $133,418 | $189,454 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | $94,952 | $131,877 | $187,265 |
| Tennessee | 6 | $94,304 | $130,978 | $185,989 |
| Michigan | 6 | $94,197 | $130,829 | $185,776 |
| New Mexico | 3 | $94,150 | $130,764 | $185,685 |
| Connecticut | 5 | $93,953 | $130,490 | $185,296 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $92,455 | $128,410 | $182,342 |
| Alaska | 1 | $92,455 | $128,410 | $182,342 |
| Iowa | 2 | $92,455 | $128,410 | $182,342 |
| North Dakota | 1 | $92,455 | $128,410 | $182,342 |
| Montana | 1 | $92,455 | $128,410 | $182,342 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | $91,192 | $126,655 | $179,851 |
| Minnesota | 2 | $91,069 | $126,484 | $179,607 |
| North Carolina | 9 | $91,058 | $126,470 | $179,587 |
| Texas | 40 | $90,934 | $126,298 | $179,343 |
| Oklahoma | 4 | $90,629 | $125,874 | $178,741 |
| Georgia | 6 | $90,375 | $125,521 | $178,239 |
| Louisiana | 4 | $90,259 | $125,360 | $178,012 |
| Indiana | 3 | $90,021 | $125,029 | $177,541 |
| Alabama | 5 | $89,016 | $123,633 | $175,559 |
| Ohio | 6 | $88,818 | $123,359 | $175,170 |
| Kentucky | 2 | $88,757 | $123,274 | $175,048 |
| Maryland | 1 | $88,664 | $123,145 | $174,866 |
| Missouri | 4 | $88,595 | $123,049 | $174,730 |
| Kansas | 4 | $88,387 | $122,760 | $174,319 |
| South Dakota | 1 | $88,017 | $122,246 | $173,589 |
| Nebraska | 2 | $87,555 | $121,604 | $172,678 |
| Arkansas | 1 | $81,915 | $113,771 | $161,555 |
| Mississippi | 1 | $78,124 | $108,506 | $154,079 |
The state salary map for Operations Managers: Hawaii at $173,867, California at $156,214, Massachusetts at $150,593 lead the pack. The bottom tier — Mississippi ($108,506), Arkansas ($113,771), Nebraska ($121,604) — shows how regional economics reshape compensation. Across all 46 states with data, the state-level spread alone is $65,361.
When you adjust the top-paying cities for cost of living, the ranking reshuffles. Santa Clara ($254,765 nominal, 198 cost index) delivers $128,669 in purchasing power — maintaining its lead even after cost adjustment. This is the metric that matters for anyone considering a geo-based career move.
Raw salary divided by the local cost index — this shows where your paycheck buys the most.
| # | City | Nominal Salary | Cost Index | Adjusted Salary | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oceanside California | $188,121 | 146 | $128,850 | $110,518 |
| 2 | Santa Clara California | $254,765 | 198 | $128,669 | $141,849 |
| 3 | Boston Massachusetts | $194,284 | 151 | $128,665 | $122,078 |
| 4 | Huntington Beach California | $217,398 | 169 | $128,638 | $124,599 |
| 5 | Fremont California | $227,671 | 177 | $128,628 | $129,433 |
| 6 | Irvine California | $236,660 | 184 | $128,620 | $133,662 |
| 7 | Bellevue Washington | $217,270 | 169 | $128,562 | $153,436 |
| 8 | Thousand Oaks California | $206,612 | 161 | $128,330 | $119,524 |
| 9 | Los Angeles California | $188,634 | 147 | $128,322 | $110,801 |
| 10 | Anaheim California | $187,350 | 146 | $128,322 | $110,094 |
From a career planning perspective, Operations Manager offers a $95,809 earning range. The 2.0× progression is steady — not explosive, but reliable. The typical entry requires Bachelor's degree. Day-to-day, expect hybrid management work environments. With data from 288 cities, the geographic flexibility is substantial — this career travels well.
The weighted national median salary for Operations Managers is $136,871 in 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics across 288 U.S. metro areas. Entry-level (10th percentile) averages $98,547, while experienced professionals at the 90th percentile average $194,356.
The highest-paying city for Operations Managers is Santa Clara, California with a median salary of $254,765. The top 3 cities are Santa Clara ($254,765), Irvine ($236,660), San Francisco ($232,037). Note: high-paying cities often have higher costs of living — check the cost-adjusted rankings above for purchasing power.
The lowest median Operations Manager salary in our data is in Toledo, Ohio at $106,195. However, lower-paying cities often have significantly lower costs of living, which can offset the pay gap. Always compare salary data alongside local cost of living.
Entry-level Operations Managers (10th percentile) average $98,547 nationally. This varies by city — in the highest-paying markets, entry-level pay can be close to $183,431. Experience, certifications, and employer type all influence starting salary.
At the 90th percentile (senior level), Operations Managers average $194,356 nationally — $95,809 more than entry-level. In top-paying cities, senior Operations Managers can earn up to $361,766.
The top-paying states for Operations Managers are Hawaii ($173,867 median), California ($156,214 median), Massachusetts ($150,593 median). State averages are computed across all tracked cities in each state, weighted equally.
The typical education path for a Operations Manager involves Bachelor's degree. The field is in the Leadership & Operations sector (Management), and the career outlook is growing. Work style is typically hybrid management.
With a national median of $136,871 and representation across 288 metro areas, Operations Manager offers above-average earning potential compared to national household income. The $95,809 gap between entry and senior pay shows room for salary growth. Industry outlook: growing.
All salary data on this page is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan areas. We present 10th percentile (entry), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks. Cost-of-living adjustments use our core database of 288 cities.
Salary data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. We present the 10th percentile (entry-level), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks.
Cost-of-living adjustments use Livably's core index derived from Zillow rent data, Census income surveys, and regional BLS price data. Take-home pay estimates apply simplified federal brackets, 7.65% FICA, and state income tax rates from the Tax Foundation.
State and national averages are computed as simple means across all tracked cities with data for this occupation. Rankings are updated monthly as new BLS releases become available.