Operations Manager salary guide 2026
A operations manager in the U.S. earns a median base salary of about $109,500 in 2026. That estimate applies the 3.4% average 2026 pay increase reported by Mercer to the Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2025 median of $105,770 for general and operations managers. The middle half earn about $75,000 to $173,000.
$109,500
Estimated median base, 2026
$75,000–$173,000
Middle 50% of earners, 2026 est.
$262,000
Top 10% earn above, 2026 est.
What the role involves
Operations managers keep the business running day to day: people, process, vendors, and budgets. The title spans everything from a single warehouse to a multi-site region, which is why pay varies so widely. Scope, headcount, and industry move the number more than the title does.
Operations Manager pay by percentile
| Percentile | BLS, May 2025 | 2026 estimate |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $50,090 | $52,000 |
| 25th percentile | $72,320 | $75,000 |
| Median | $105,770 | $109,500 |
| 75th percentile | $167,280 | $173,000 |
| 90th percentile | $253,390 | $262,000 |
BLS occupation: General and Operations Managers (SOC 11-1021). BLS groups operations managers with general managers across all industries, which is why the range is so wide.
Phoenix metro
The Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler median for general and operations managers was $98,610 in May 2025, compared with $105,770 nationally, 7% lower.
What moves operations manager pay
The BLS category is broad, so scope matters more than title: a multi-site operations leader can earn well above the median.
Candidates who combine ERP, process improvement, and people leadership experience are the profiles employers compete for.
Bonus and incentives
Operations managers often earn an annual bonus tied to budget, productivity, safety, and customer service targets.
Key skills
Frequently asked questions
How we calculated these figures
National figures are Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates for May 2025, released May 15, 2026, the most recent official data. 2026 estimates apply the 3.4% average total pay increase U.S. employers delivered in 2026, from Mercer's survey of 756 employers. BLS wages include base pay, commissions, and production bonuses, but exclude benefits, overtime premiums, and equity.
Hiring a operations manager?
A flat-fee operations manager search with Colossus is $22,500, fixed wherever the offer lands, with a 12-month replacement guarantee. Prefer to pay only when your hire starts? Contingent search is 25% of first-year base salary, about $27,375 at a $109,500 salary.
Talk through your operations manager searchPrefer to write it down? Send us the role details
Checking what you pay your current team?
Compensation benchmarking from $699 per roleExploring your next move?
Join the Colossus talent network