Best cities for an operations associate
The best cities for operations associates are San Francisco, CA, Oakland, CA, and New York, NY, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for operations associates vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for operations associates in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as an operations associate or considering a move, this list of the best cities for operations associates to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for operations associates. We also consider how easy it is to find work as an operations associate. While the absolute best city for operations associates is San Francisco, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for operations associates in 2024.
If you're looking for an operations associate job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for operations associates in 2026
1. San Francisco, CA
Operations associate jobs in San FranciscoTotal operations associate jobs: 253 Average annual salary: $66,486 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $130,000 Location quotient: 1.15 2. Oakland, CA
Operations associate jobs in OaklandTotal operations associate jobs: 24 Average annual salary: $66,295 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $129,000 Location quotient: 1.15 3. New York, NY
Operations associate jobs in New YorkTotal operations associate jobs: 42 Average annual salary: $73,362 Lowest 10 percent warn: $40,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $132,000 Location quotient: 1.13 4. Newark, NJ
Operations associate jobs in NewarkTotal operations associate jobs: 26 Average annual salary: $70,427 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $127,000 Location quotient: 1.02 5. Boston, MA
Operations associate jobs in BostonTotal operations associate jobs: 111 Average annual salary: $69,714 Lowest 10 percent warn: $39,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $123,000 Location quotient: 0.71 6. Fresno, CA
Operations associate jobs in FresnoTotal operations associate jobs: 9 Average annual salary: $64,642 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $125,000 Location quotient: 0.73 7. Chicago, IL
Operations associate jobs in ChicagoTotal operations associate jobs: 127 Average annual salary: $59,522 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $105,000 Location quotient: 0.59 8. Stockton, CA
Operations associate jobs in StocktonTotal operations associate jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $65,315 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $127,000 Location quotient: 0.64 9. Buffalo, NY
Operations associate jobs in BuffaloTotal operations associate jobs: 15 Average annual salary: $70,851 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $129,000 Location quotient: 0.67 10. Los Angeles, CA
Operations associate jobs in Los AngelesTotal operations associate jobs: 122 Average annual salary: $63,172 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $120,000 Location quotient: 0.65
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Best cities for operations associates
- San Francisco, CA
- Oakland, CA
- New York, NY
- Newark, NJ
- Boston, MA
- Fresno, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Stockton, CA
- Buffalo, NY
- Los Angeles, CA
- (253 operations associate jobs)
- (24 operations associate jobs)
- (42 operations associate jobs)
- (26 operations associate jobs)
- (111 operations associate jobs)
- (9 operations associate jobs)
- (127 operations associate jobs)
- (5 operations associate jobs)
- (15 operations associate jobs)
- (122 operations associate jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for an operations associate
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $66,486 | $33,000 | 870,887 | 253 |
| 2 | Oakland, CA | $66,295 | $33,000 | 420,005 | 24 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $73,362 | $40,000 | 8,537,673 | 42 |
| 4 | Newark, NJ | $70,427 | $38,000 | 281,764 | 26 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $69,714 | $39,000 | 673,184 | 111 |
| 6 | Fresno, CA | $64,642 | $33,000 | 522,053 | 9 |
| 7 | Chicago, IL | $59,522 | $33,000 | 2,704,958 | 127 |
| 8 | Stockton, CA | $65,315 | $33,000 | 307,072 | 5 |
| 9 | Buffalo, NY | $70,851 | $38,000 | 256,902 | 15 |
| 10 | Los Angeles, CA | $63,172 | $33,000 | 3,976,322 | 122 |
| 11 | Fort Wayne, IN | $44,723 | $25,000 | 264,488 | 18 |
| 12 | Reno, NV | $45,504 | $23,000 | 245,255 | 15 |
| 13 | Las Vegas, NV | $45,479 | $23,000 | 632,912 | 50 |
| 14 | Jersey City, NJ | $70,491 | $39,000 | 264,152 | 41 |
| 15 | Bakersfield, CA | $63,922 | $33,000 | 376,380 | 5 |
| 16 | Henderson, NV | $45,446 | $23,000 | 292,969 | 5 |
| 17 | Glendale, AZ | $44,828 | $23,000 | 245,895 | 7 |
| 18 | Greensboro, NC | $46,168 | $25,000 | 287,027 | 15 |
| 19 | Laredo, TX | $43,179 | $22,000 | 257,156 | 4 |
| 20 | Columbus, OH | $45,309 | $25,000 | 860,090 | 63 |
| 21 | Chula Vista, CA | $62,307 | $32,000 | 267,172 | 2 |
| 22 | Madison, WI | $43,832 | $24,000 | 252,551 | 32 |
| 23 | Philadelphia, PA | $56,828 | $31,000 | 1,567,872 | 41 |
| 24 | Arlington, TX | $41,825 | $22,000 | 392,772 | 25 |
| 25 | El Paso, TX | $44,105 | $23,000 | 683,080 | 8 |
| 26 | Virginia Beach, VA | $50,366 | $27,000 | 452,602 | 11 |
| 27 | Fremont, CA | $66,200 | $33,000 | 233,136 | 13 |
| 28 | Charlotte, NC | $44,708 | $24,000 | 842,051 | 75 |
| 29 | Pittsburgh, PA | $52,267 | $28,000 | 303,625 | 22 |
| 30 | Sacramento, CA | $64,896 | $33,000 | 495,234 | 13 |
| 31 | Long Beach, CA | $62,952 | $33,000 | 470,130 | 4 |
| 32 | Indianapolis, IN | $43,712 | $24,000 | 855,164 | 37 |
| 33 | Lexington, KY | $43,284 | $24,000 | 318,449 | 6 |
| 34 | Raleigh, NC | $46,657 | $25,000 | 458,880 | 22 |
| 35 | Phoenix, AZ | $44,806 | $23,000 | 1,615,017 | 62 |
| 36 | Cincinnati, OH | $43,914 | $24,000 | 298,800 | 18 |
| 37 | Baltimore, MD | $59,386 | $32,000 | 614,664 | 24 |
| 38 | Austin, TX | $43,024 | $22,000 | 947,890 | 70 |
| 39 | Omaha, NE | $41,710 | $23,000 | 446,970 | 25 |
| 40 | Irvine, CA | $62,748 | $33,000 | 266,122 | 16 |
| 41 | Albuquerque, NM | $49,168 | $26,000 | 559,277 | 10 |
| 42 | San Diego, CA | $62,354 | $32,000 | 1,406,630 | 40 |
| 43 | San Jose, CA | $66,231 | $33,000 | 1,025,350 | 24 |
| 44 | Durham, NC | $46,748 | $25,000 | 263,016 | 11 |
| 45 | San Antonio, TX | $43,214 | $22,000 | 1,492,510 | 27 |
| 46 | Washington, DC | $54,210 | $29,000 | 681,170 | 106 |
| 47 | Nashville, TN | $41,346 | $23,000 | 660,388 | 20 |
| 48 | Mesa, AZ | $44,745 | $23,000 | 484,587 | 4 |
| 49 | Lubbock, TX | $42,401 | $23,000 | 252,506 | 3 |
| 50 | Cleveland, OH | $48,206 | $26,000 | 385,809 | 9 |
Highest paying cities for operations associates
| Rank | City | Avg. operations associate salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $73,362 |
| 2 | Wilmington, DE | $71,288 |
| 3 | Hoboken, NJ | $70,539 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $69,714 |
| 5 | Redwood City, CA | $66,490 |
| 6 | Chicago, IL | $59,522 |
| 7 | Baltimore, MD | $59,386 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $56,828 |
| 9 | Washington, DC | $54,210 |
| 10 | Portland, ME | $52,881 |
| 11 | Arlington, VA | $52,000 |
| 12 | Jacksonville, NC | $46,285 |
| 13 | Las Vegas, NV | $45,479 |
| 14 | Columbus, OH | $45,309 |
| 15 | Seattle, WA | $45,144 |
| 16 | Madison, MS | $45,137 |
| 17 | Phoenix, AZ | $44,806 |
| 18 | Richmond, IN | $44,162 |
| 19 | Madison, WI | $43,832 |
| 20 | Washington, UT | $43,652 |
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Updated January 8, 2025