Best cities for a chief of operations
The best cities for chiefs of operations are Minneapolis, MN, Philadelphia, PA, and Charlotte, NC, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for chiefs of operations vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for chiefs of operations in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a chief of operations or considering a move, this list of the best cities for chiefs of operations to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for chiefs of operations. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a chief of operations. While the absolute best city for chiefs of operations is Minneapolis, MN, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for chiefs of operations in 2024.
If you're looking for a chief of operations job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for chiefs of operations in 2026
1. Minneapolis, MN
Total chief of operations jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $141,484 Lowest 10 percent warn: $98,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $204,000 Location quotient: 4.18 2. Philadelphia, PA
Total chief of operations jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $133,075 Lowest 10 percent warn: $92,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $191,000 Location quotient: 4.89 3. Charlotte, NC
Total chief of operations jobs: 8 Average annual salary: $125,442 Lowest 10 percent warn: $84,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $187,000 Location quotient: 5.31 4. Pittsburgh, PA
Total chief of operations jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $131,408 Lowest 10 percent warn: $90,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $190,000 Location quotient: 1.30 5. Saint Paul, MN
Total chief of operations jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $141,533 Lowest 10 percent warn: $98,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $204,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Milwaukee, WI
Total chief of operations jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $144,977 Lowest 10 percent warn: $99,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $210,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Madison, WI
Total chief of operations jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $144,196 Lowest 10 percent warn: $99,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $209,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Arlington, TX
Total chief of operations jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $124,325 Lowest 10 percent warn: $80,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $192,000 Location quotient: 8.21 9. Reno, NV
Total chief of operations jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $131,115 Lowest 10 percent warn: $89,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $192,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Greensboro, NC
Total chief of operations jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $128,693 Lowest 10 percent warn: $87,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $189,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for chiefs of operations
- Minneapolis, MN
- Philadelphia, PA
- Charlotte, NC
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Saint Paul, MN
- Milwaukee, WI
- Madison, WI
- Arlington, TX
- Reno, NV
- Greensboro, NC
- (4 chief of operations jobs)
- (6 chief of operations jobs)
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Detailed list of the best cities for a chief of operations
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis, MN | $141,484 | $98,000 | 413,651 | 4 |
| 2 | Philadelphia, PA | $133,075 | $92,000 | 1,567,872 | 6 |
| 3 | Charlotte, NC | $125,442 | $84,000 | 842,051 | 8 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh, PA | $131,408 | $90,000 | 303,625 | 1 |
| 5 | Saint Paul, MN | $141,533 | $98,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 6 | Milwaukee, WI | $144,977 | $99,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 7 | Madison, WI | $144,196 | $99,000 | 252,551 | - |
| 8 | Arlington, TX | $124,325 | $80,000 | 392,772 | 1 |
| 9 | Reno, NV | $131,115 | $89,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 10 | Greensboro, NC | $128,693 | $87,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 11 | Winston-Salem, NC | $128,655 | $87,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 12 | Washington, DC | $160,512 | $110,000 | 681,170 | 18 |
| 13 | Durham, NC | $128,648 | $87,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 14 | Nashville, TN | $119,005 | $80,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 15 | Lubbock, TX | $128,828 | $84,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 16 | Detroit, MI | $122,266 | $84,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 17 | Raleigh, NC | $128,084 | $86,000 | 458,880 | - |
| 18 | Seattle, WA | $139,816 | $96,000 | 704,352 | 4 |
| 19 | Las Vegas, NV | $125,382 | $84,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 20 | North Las Vegas, NV | $125,269 | $84,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 21 | Henderson, NV | $124,797 | $84,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 22 | El Paso, TX | $127,513 | $83,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 23 | Fort Worth, TX | $124,595 | $80,000 | 854,113 | - |
| 24 | Plano, TX | $124,529 | $80,000 | 286,057 | - |
| 25 | Irving, TX | $124,459 | $80,000 | 238,289 | - |
| 26 | Fresno, CA | $142,005 | $96,000 | 522,053 | 2 |
| 27 | Garland, TX | $124,288 | $80,000 | 234,943 | - |
| 28 | Memphis, TN | $115,593 | $76,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 29 | San Francisco, CA | $145,063 | $98,000 | 870,887 | 2 |
| 30 | Boston, MA | $129,797 | $90,000 | 673,184 | 5 |
| 31 | Dallas, TX | $124,190 | $80,000 | 1,317,929 | - |
| 32 | Norfolk, VA | $127,295 | $87,000 | 245,115 | 2 |
| 33 | Oakland, CA | $144,877 | $98,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 34 | San Jose, CA | $144,276 | $97,000 | 1,025,350 | 4 |
| 35 | Fremont, CA | $144,518 | $98,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 36 | Sacramento, CA | $144,405 | $98,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 37 | Stockton, CA | $144,159 | $98,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 38 | New York, NY | $134,563 | $93,000 | 8,537,673 | 18 |
| 39 | Austin, TX | $117,234 | $72,000 | 947,890 | - |
| 40 | Brookhaven, NY | $135,088 | $93,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 41 | Chicago, IL | $123,077 | $84,000 | 2,704,958 | - |
| 42 | Islip, NY | $134,892 | $93,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 43 | Oyster Bay, NY | $134,823 | $93,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 44 | Hempstead, NY | $134,668 | $93,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 45 | Denver, CO | $126,709 | $85,000 | 693,060 | 4 |
| 46 | Colorado Springs, CO | $126,923 | $85,000 | 465,101 | - |
| 47 | Houston, TX | $113,436 | $69,000 | 2,303,482 | 6 |
| 48 | Buffalo, NY | $133,739 | $92,000 | 256,902 | - |
| 49 | Los Angeles, CA | $134,776 | $90,000 | 3,976,322 | 5 |
| 50 | Virginia Beach, VA | $127,201 | $87,000 | 452,602 | - |
Highest paying cities for chiefs of operations
| Rank | City | Avg. chief of operations salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $160,512 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $145,063 |
| 3 | Minneapolis, MN | $141,484 |
| 4 | Bellingham, WA | $139,974 |
| 5 | Albany, NY | $135,451 |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | $133,075 |
| 7 | Wallingford, CT | $132,243 |
| 8 | Arlington, VA | $130,952 |
| 9 | New Bedford, MA | $130,058 |
| 10 | Sayreville, NJ | $127,409 |
| 11 | Denver, CO | $126,709 |
| 12 | Charlotte, NC | $125,442 |
| 13 | Arlington, TX | $124,325 |
| 14 | Chicago, IL | $123,077 |
| 15 | Chandler, AZ | $110,610 |
| 16 | West Des Moines, IA | $107,586 |
| 17 | Baltimore, MD | $105,167 |
| 18 | Wichita, KS | $95,079 |
| 19 | Enid, OK | $85,099 |
| 20 | Saint Louis, MO | $84,368 |
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Updated January 8, 2025