How to hire an area operations manager

How to hire an area operations manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step area operations manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an area operations manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new area operations manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an area operations manager do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The area operations manager hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

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   Hiring the perfect area operations manager also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list presents area operations manager salaries for various positions.

   Type of Area Operations Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Area Operations Manager	Top executives devise strategies and policies to ensure that an organization meets its goals. They plan, direct, and coordinate operational activities of companies and organizations.	$14-37
   General Manager Of Operations	General managers of operations are employed to oversee the overall operations of businesses. Their responsibilities include the improvement of the efficiency of the operations and overall management... Show more	$23-79
   District Manager	District managers oversee the operations of a group of stores or areas covered by the assigned district. They are responsible for ensuring that the sales, marketing, quality control, and people management of their community align with the company's direction... Show more	$30-70

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Logistics
   • Customer Service
   • Process Improvement
   • Direct Reports
   • OSHA
   • Corrective Action
   • Oversight
   • Continuous Improvement
   • Loss Prevention
   • Customer Satisfaction
   • Safety Program
   • Performance Management
   • Kaizen
   • Human Resources

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage operational budget including payroll, operating, and capital expenses, and analyze financial reports.
   • Manage relationships, performance expectations, and equipment logistics with subcontractors, without compromising co-employment contractual obligations.
   • Finance and billing accountability across Medicaid, manage care commercial insurance, insurance verification, contract management, and benefits administration.
   • Task with putting together a team that successfully implement and pass ISO 14001 and ISO 18001 audit.
   • Complete daily activity reports and administrative work relate to hiring and tracking hours and payroll
   • Perform daily management duties including all record keeping, inventory, logistics and installations for security systems.

   More area operations manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the area operations manager job description is a good way to get more applicants. An area operations manager salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for an area operations manager in Oklahoma may be lower than in California, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level area operations manager. Additionally, an area operations manager with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average area operations manager salary

   $49,256yearly

   $23.68 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level area operations manager salary

   $31,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 20, 2025

   Average area operations manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$76,025	$37
   2	Virginia	$65,962	$32
   3	Hawaii	$58,603	$28
   4	Connecticut	$57,703	$28
   5	District of Columbia	$56,868	$27
   6	North Carolina	$54,124	$26
   7	Texas	$53,524	$26
   8	Colorado	$49,034	$24
   9	Pennsylvania	$49,019	$24
   10	Rhode Island	$48,707	$23
   11	Maryland	$47,717	$23
   12	Tennessee	$43,275	$21
   13	Wisconsin	$43,070	$21
   14	Massachusetts	$42,735	$21
   15	Michigan	$41,247	$20
   16	Florida	$40,316	$19
   17	New Mexico	$40,221	$19
   18	Utah	$40,043	$19
   19	Illinois	$39,792	$19
   20	Iowa	$35,534	$17

   Average area operations manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Enbridge	$157,934	$75.93	1
   2	Microsoft	$138,712	$66.69	59
   3	Braum's	$121,924	$58.62	55
   4	Eastman	$103,198	$49.61
   5	PNM Resources	$88,990	$42.78
   6	Covanta	$87,885	$42.25
   7	AccentCare	$86,960	$41.81	1
   8	Carrier	$79,570	$38.25	22
   9	Air Products	$76,803	$36.92	8
   10	Kona Community Hospital	$74,889	$36.00
   11	Halliburton	$68,384	$32.88	9
   12	General Dynamics	$67,926	$32.66	36
   13	Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas	$67,586	$32.49	1
   14	HDR	$65,659	$31.57	27
   15	Airgas	$65,545	$31.51	88
   16	Pactiv	$62,827	$30.21	18
   17	Amazon	$60,658	$29.16	1,433
   18	DoorDash	$59,662	$28.68	172
   19	The Beach Company	$59,590	$28.65	2
   20	Polaris	$58,770	$28.25	6

4. Writing an area operations manager job description

   A job description for an area operations manager role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's an area operations manager job description:

   Area operations manager job description example

   As an Area Manager in the Southern California market, you will be responsible for the safe coordination and planning of multiple projects to achieve the best economic and schedule results; typically overseeing multiple projects within the region.
   
   Supports and oversees multiple project plans and project productions within a single region in one state.
   
   Provides technical expertise to project bids by working closely with estimating, engineers, project managers and bid review committees.
   
   Enforces Company and project safety plans at all project sites to ensure Company and sub-contractor safety compliance.
   
   Reviews proposed project designs to ensure plan is in compliance with contract cost estimate, production goals and quality adherence, within schedule.
   
   Coordinates with Human Resources to ensure all projects have accurate personnel assigned and recruiting efforts are assigned to upcoming project needs.
   Perform additional assignments per management's direction. Reviews and ensures project costs and coded accurately for accurate financial reporting. Identifies and implements trainings and corrective action, if needed. Provides technical guidance and resources to the project management team to ensure projects progresses on schedule and within prescribed budget. Reviews weekly and monthly project status reports and evaluate that schedules or plans will meet project goals. Evaluates project activities to determine compliance with government regulatory agencies and coordinate with agencies for permitting regulations. Assists project managers with Owner relations, presentations and change order requests, as needed. Manages and provides oversight to insurance issues, as needed. Participates in the selection and contract execution with subcontractors and suppliers. Oversees and/or audits project cost controls, budgets, invoicing, estimates and project forecasting and provide input to Executive management related to project operations and status. Maintains knowledge of Company values and strategic plan. Support published corporate policies.
   15+ years' experience in heavy civil construction required. 10+ years' experience managing construction teams required. Bachelor's Degree a plus. Managing heavy civil/highway projects, construction, business and financial risk management experience Safety Trained Supervisor (STS) certification preferred. Valid Driver's License. Expert knowledge of complex construction means and methods. Proven knowledge and ability to manage claims process and negotiate with Owner regarding project issues. Proven skill and ability to lead multiple teams from different functions towards a common goal. Strong conflict management skills. Strong, proven leadership skills. Ability to identify top talent and implement growth opportunities and trainings to mentor and build internal team.
   Some of the benefits you may be eligible for as an employee are: Comprehensive compensation package and paid time off program Industry leading 401(k)/RRSP Medical/Extended Health Care, Dental, Vison and/or Provincial Medical Wellness benefits & Employee Assistance Program Tuition Reimbursement Program We are an EEO/AA/ADA/Veterans employer.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right area operations manager for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your area operations manager job on Zippia to find and recruit area operations manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with area operations manager candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new area operations manager

   Once you've selected the best area operations manager candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new area operations manager. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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