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Operations manager: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$105,770median pay per year, or $50.85 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $50,090lowest 10% earn less
  2. $72,32025th percentile
  3. $105,770median
  4. $167,28075th percentile
  5. $253,390top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

The median operations manager (BLS title: General and Operations Managers) earned $105,770 a year in May 2025[1]. The usual route is a bachelor's degree plus 5 years or more of related work experience[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+5%[5]
Openings per year
285,000[6]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[2]

How much do operations managers make?

The median wage for General and Operations Managers was $105,770 a year, or $50.85 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The mean (average) was higher, at $134,940 a year, or $64.87 an hour[7]. For comparison, the median for all occupations was $50,980[4].

Pay varies a lot in this job. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $50,090 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $253,390[3]. BLS explains that a percentile wage is a boundary, and that it publishes percentiles rather than a starting salary[8].

Annual wage point Amount
10th percentile[3] $50,090
25th percentile[3] $72,320
Median[1] $105,770
75th percentile[3] $167,280
90th percentile[3] $253,390

By the hour, the 10th percentile was $24.08 and the 90th was $121.82[9]. These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, owners of unincorporated firms and employer costs of benefits[10].

Pay by state and city

New Jersey had the highest state median at $173,690, followed by the District of Columbia at $168,000 and South Dakota at $137,400[11]. Arkansas was last in the list at $74,050[11].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Trenton-Princeton, NJ came first at $181,450, then San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $163,860 and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ at $157,000[12].

The most jobs were in Texas (431,310), California (300,840) and Florida (236,290)[13]. The New York metro area had the most jobs of any metro, at 177,850[14].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
New Jersey[11]$173,69053,000
District of Columbia$168,00036,150
South Dakota$137,4004,280
Connecticut$137,22039,070
Delaware$137,2205,000
Washington$133,75050,630
Colorado$131,84041,870
New York$130,860206,740
Massachusetts$127,22095,880
New Hampshire$124,68022,110
California$124,390300,840
Virginia$122,080103,590
Wisconsin$118,73036,910
Maryland$117,93096,740
Rhode Island$117,3809,150
Alaska$116,6306,020
Alabama$111,79030,170
Hawaii$108,18013,380
Indiana$108,17047,180
Tennessee$106,97063,720
Mississippi$106,68010,630
South Carolina$106,08032,230
Georgia$103,730111,060
Illinois$103,570171,300
Oregon$103,49036,190
Texas$103,230431,310
Pennsylvania$103,130172,010
North Carolina$101,95063,740
Louisiana$101,79043,220
Florida$101,580236,290
Wyoming$99,7007,470
Michigan$99,53085,860
Nevada$99,39038,920
Minnesota$99,34072,860
Maine$98,86014,770
Vermont$98,6408,000
New Mexico$98,63016,330
North Dakota$98,17011,150
Utah$97,85042,580
Ohio$97,700153,160
Arizona$94,800110,480
Kansas$92,84024,660
Montana$91,38011,840
Oklahoma$90,43043,890
Iowa$87,69030,760
Nebraska$85,09024,030
West Virginia$82,50015,300
Idaho$80,39024,880
Kentucky$79,37052,100
Missouri$79,300109,020
Arkansas$74,05034,570

How to become an operations manager

BLS lists no typical on-the-job training for this job[2]. The Occupational Outlook Handbook profile used here covers top executives, a wider group than this occupation[17]. It says that these roles usually call for a bachelor's or master's degree in a field such as business or engineering, and that some employers may want a license or certification tied to the area managed[18][19].

In an O*NET survey of 28 workers, 29% said a high school diploma or equivalent was required, and 27% said a bachelor's degree[20]. The sample is small, so read it as a snapshot and not as a rule.

What operations managers do

O*NET describes the job as planning, directing or coordinating the operations of an organization, often across several departments or locations[21]. These managers usually work through subordinate supervisors[21]. Common tasks include:

Sample job titles include Operations Manager, General Manager and Operations Director[23]. Skills BLS highlights for top executives include communication, decision-making, leadership and problem-solving[24][25][26][27].

Where they work

Top executives work in nearly every industry, in small and large organizations alike[28]. Retail trade was the largest employer group at 12%[29]. The work may be stressful, since executives are often held responsible for results[30]. Travel to meetings, conferences and other offices is frequent[31]. Full-time work is typical, and many executives put in more than 40 hours a week, sometimes on evenings and weekends[32]. Only 0.8% of General and Operations Managers were self-employed in 2025[33].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 5% from 2025 to 2035, adding about 181,300 jobs[5]. Employment across all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[34]. These counts include the self-employed[5].

BLS expects about 285,000 openings a year on average[6]. Openings include jobs created when workers retire or change occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 2.1% of workers leave the labor force and 5.1% move to a different occupation[35]. About 3,503,020 people held wage and salary jobs in May 2025[36].

Is it a good fit?

The pay is well above the all-occupations median, though the range is wide[1][3][4]. The job usually asks for a bachelor's degree and years of related experience, so it tends to suit people who already work in or near management[2]. Growth is a little faster than average[5][34]. Pay depends on place, and the state medians run from $74,050 to $173,690[11].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does an operations manager make an hour?
The median was $50.85 an hour in May 2025, and the mean was $64.87[1][7].
What degree do you need to be an operations manager?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education, plus 5 years or more of related work experience[2].
Is operations manager a growing field?
BLS projects 5% growth from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations[5][34].
What is the highest paying state for operations managers?
New Jersey had the highest median at $173,690, then the District of Columbia at $168,000[11].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for General and Operations Managers in the US was $105,770 per year and $50.85 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into General and Operations Managers: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: 5 years or more; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for General and Operations Managers: 10th percentile $50,090, 25th percentile $72,320, 75th percentile $167,280, 90th percentile $253,390. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: employment of General and Operations Managers is projected to grow 5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 3,599,000 to 3,780,300 jobs (a change of +181,300). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 285,000 openings for General and Operations Managers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for General and Operations Managers was $134,940 per year and $64.87 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for General and Operations Managers: 10th percentile $24.08, 25th percentile $34.77, 75th percentile $80.42, 90th percentile $121.82. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. Median annual wage for General and Operations Managers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for General and Operations Managers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Trenton-Princeton, NJ $181,450; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $163,860; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $157,000; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $156,460; Boulder, CO $152,100; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $149,990; Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $148,080; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $146,030. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most General and Operations Managers jobs: Texas 431,310; California 300,840; Florida 236,290; New York 206,740; Pennsylvania 172,010. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most General and Operations Managers jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 177,850 (median $157,000); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 125,090 (median $111,010); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 122,930 (median $109,390); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 112,530 (median $156,460); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 104,610 (median $125,830); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 97,320 (median $119,600). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Top Executives" covers General and Operations Managers together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. O*NET 11-1021.00 survey of workers (28 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 29%, Bachelor's Degree 27%, Some College Courses 22%, Less than a High School Diploma 10%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 6%, Post-Secondary Certificate 6% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  21. O*NET description of General and Operations Managers. O*NET OnLine
  22. O*NET task list for General and Operations Managers. O*NET OnLine
  23. O*NET 11-1021.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Business Manager, Center Manager, Department Manager, District Manager, General Manager (GM), Operations Director, Operations General Manager (Operations GM), Operations Manager. O*NET OnLine
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of top executives in 2025: Retail trade 12%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Employment Projections: 0.8% of General and Operations Managers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for General and Operations Managers: 2.1% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5.1% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 3,503,020 people were employed as General and Operations Managers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  37. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.