Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of operations directors that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of operations directors:
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Senior Vice President-Operations is the highest-paid type of operations director with an average salary of $192,068 and an average hourly rate of $92.34.
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The second highest-paying type of operations director is operations vice president, with an average salary of $163,076.
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The average operations director salary is $104,050 per year, and the average hourly pay is $50.02.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as an operations director, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of operations directors are so that you can plan your career progression.
Here are the top salaries for different types of operations directors:
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Senior Vice President-Operations
Average Salary: $192,068
Senior Vice Presidents for Operations are top management employees who oversee the company’s operations. They report to the company’s Chief Executive Officer or roles equivalent to such. They are expected to be very familiar with everything related to the company, such as its products, services, and production activities, among others. As such, they would be able to create strategies that would elevate the performance of the company. They are heavily involved in the decision-making related to the different departments in operations. Senior Vice Presidents for Operations manage different departments related to operations. They ensure that all factors in operations contribute to the company’s success.
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Operations Vice President
Average Salary: $163,076
The responsibilities of an operations vice president will revolve around overseeing business operations and ensuring workforce and workflow efficiency through evaluations and providing strategic plans that would drive the company to meet its vision and mission. An operations vice president, in adherence to the company policies and regulations, also has the power to hire and train employees, even to execute disciplinary actions such as termination or suspension when necessary. Furthermore, an operations vice president also has discretion in reviewing and approving reports and requirements in various aspects such as budgeting and new policies.
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Senior Director, Operations
Average Salary: $149,771
The senior director of operations generally works with other managers to set goals for the future of the company and evaluates performance to check whether certain goals are achieved. They are responsible for making sure that operational processes are within the prescribed budget and timeline. Also, they oversee, implement, and evaluate operation processes and procedures to see if they comply with the set standards and procedures of the company. Additionally, they lead in developing strategies and implementation plans to enhance and standardize all units of operations.
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Director, Technical Operations
Average Salary: $141,158
A director of technical operations is in charge of spearheading the efforts in optimizing business operations. Their responsibilities revolve around performing research and analysis to determine the best operational practices, setting goals and objectives, allocating budgets, coordinating different departments, and evaluating the performance of technicians and engineers. Furthermore, as a director, it is essential to serve as a driving force that leads and encourages the workforce to meet goals and new heights, all while implementing the company’s policies and regulations.
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Director Of Sales And Operations
Average Salary: $138,898
Directors of Sales and Operations are executives who oversee the performance of the company. They set the strategic direction for the company’s sales force. They also ensure that company operations run efficiently. Directors of Sales and operations are in charge of analyzing the sales data of the company. They identify areas for improvement and create strategies that will address these challenges. They would then ensure that the strategies are effective. In case the initial strategies did not produce the desired results, they are expected to change course and continue trying. They are also in charge of managing the operations of the company. They ensure that the company is properly equipped with the right tools to get the best value for their products and services.
Below is a full table of the average pay for various operations director that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Operations Directors
Methodology
Zippia uses publicly published information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.
Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for operations directors.
Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Operations Director Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid operations director job?
The highest-paid operations director job is a senior vice president-operations. Senior Vice Presidents-Operations earn an average salary of $192,068, which is $ 92.34 hourly.
Senior Vice Presidents for Operations are top management employees who oversee the company’s operations. They report to the company’s Chief Executive Officer or roles equivalent to such. They are expected to be very familiar with everything related to the company, such as its products, services, and production activities, among others. As such, they would be able to create strategies that would elevate the performance of the company. They are heavily involved in the decision-making related to the different departments in operations. Senior Vice Presidents for Operations manage different departments related to operations. They ensure that all factors in operations contribute to the company’s success.
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What is a good salary for an operations director?
A good salary for an operations director is $104,050 or more. The average operations director salary is $104,050, so those making at least $104,050 are earning above-average paychecks.
Keep in mind, however, that the average operations director salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.
In addition, if you’re just starting your career as an operations director, the average entry level salary is $42,857, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $104,050 average, as this includes all operations directors of all skill and experience levels.
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Do Operations Director jobs pay well?
Yes, operations director jobs pay well. As in any industry, some operations director jobs pay better than others, but the average operations director salary of $104,050 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
In addition to this, many operations director jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of operations directors earning $120,014 a year on average.
Operations Directors’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as an operations director. Do your research on the going rate for an operations director in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.
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Where do operations directors get paid the most?
Operations Directors get paid the most in Washington. In Washington, operations directors earn an average annual salary of $119,237 and an average hourly wage of $57.33.
Following WA, the states with the highest-paid operations directors are Nevada, Alaska, and New Jersey, with average annual salaries of $107,078, $120,262, and $126,450 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid operations director salaries are:
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San Francisco, CA – $141,492
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Jersey City, NJ – $127,764
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Stamford, CT – $124,629
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Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
