Best cities for an operations manager
The best cities for operations managers are Anchorage, AK, Reno, NV, and Stockton, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for operations managers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for operations managers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as an operations manager or considering a move, this list of the best cities for operations managers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for operations managers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as an operations manager. While the absolute best city for operations managers is Anchorage, AK, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for operations managers in 2024.
If you're looking for an operations manager job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for operations managers in 2026
1. Anchorage, AK
Operations manager jobs in AnchorageTotal operations manager jobs: 39 Average annual salary: $99,654 Lowest 10 percent warn: $54,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $182,000 Location quotient: 1.90 2. Reno, NV
Operations manager jobs in RenoTotal operations manager jobs: 42 Average annual salary: $88,474 Lowest 10 percent warn: $51,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $152,000 Location quotient: 1.37 3. Stockton, CA
Operations manager jobs in StocktonTotal operations manager jobs: 42 Average annual salary: $105,342 Lowest 10 percent warn: $61,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $180,000 Location quotient: 2.91 4. Oakland, CA
Operations manager jobs in OaklandTotal operations manager jobs: 55 Average annual salary: $106,804 Lowest 10 percent warn: $62,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $182,000 Location quotient: 1.42 5. Fresno, CA
Operations manager jobs in FresnoTotal operations manager jobs: 46 Average annual salary: $100,606 Lowest 10 percent warn: $59,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $171,000 Location quotient: 2.03 6. San Francisco, CA
Operations manager jobs in San FranciscoTotal operations manager jobs: 244 Average annual salary: $107,162 Lowest 10 percent warn: $62,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $183,000 Location quotient: 1.23 7. Newark, NJ
Operations manager jobs in NewarkTotal operations manager jobs: 49 Average annual salary: $102,367 Lowest 10 percent warn: $65,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $158,000 Location quotient: 1.04 8. New York, NY
Operations manager jobs in New YorkTotal operations manager jobs: 29 Average annual salary: $102,034 Lowest 10 percent warn: $65,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $158,000 Location quotient: 1.18 9. Las Vegas, NV
Operations manager jobs in Las VegasTotal operations manager jobs: 140 Average annual salary: $77,625 Lowest 10 percent warn: $46,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $130,000 Location quotient: 1.46 10. Henderson, NV
Operations manager jobs in HendersonTotal operations manager jobs: 22 Average annual salary: $76,884 Lowest 10 percent warn: $45,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $128,000 Location quotient: 1.95
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Best cities for operations managers
- Anchorage, AK
- Reno, NV
- Stockton, CA
- Oakland, CA
- Fresno, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Newark, NJ
- New York, NY
- Las Vegas, NV
- Henderson, NV
Detailed list of the best cities for an operations manager
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anchorage, AK | $99,654 | $54,000 | 298,192 | 39 |
| 2 | Reno, NV | $88,474 | $51,000 | 245,255 | 42 |
| 3 | Stockton, CA | $105,342 | $61,000 | 307,072 | 42 |
| 4 | Oakland, CA | $106,804 | $62,000 | 420,005 | 55 |
| 5 | Fresno, CA | $100,606 | $59,000 | 522,053 | 46 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $107,162 | $62,000 | 870,887 | 244 |
| 7 | Newark, NJ | $102,367 | $65,000 | 281,764 | 49 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $102,034 | $65,000 | 8,537,673 | 29 |
| 9 | Las Vegas, NV | $77,625 | $46,000 | 632,912 | 140 |
| 10 | Henderson, NV | $76,884 | $45,000 | 292,969 | 22 |
| 11 | Anaheim, CA | $87,447 | $52,000 | 351,043 | 40 |
| 12 | North Las Vegas, NV | $77,400 | $46,000 | 238,702 | 6 |
| 13 | Washington, DC | $101,074 | $64,000 | 681,170 | 28 |
| 14 | Detroit, MI | $83,150 | $52,000 | 672,795 | 71 |
| 15 | Boston, MA | $94,462 | $61,000 | 673,184 | 18 |
| 16 | Seattle, WA | $90,852 | $51,000 | 704,352 | 70 |
| 17 | Cleveland, OH | $82,279 | $52,000 | 385,809 | 45 |
| 18 | Chesapeake, VA | $86,536 | $54,000 | 237,940 | 13 |
| 19 | Los Angeles, CA | $88,510 | $52,000 | 3,976,322 | 166 |
| 20 | Sacramento, CA | $105,742 | $61,000 | 495,234 | 73 |
| 21 | Riverside, CA | $87,126 | $52,000 | 324,722 | 30 |
| 22 | Santa Ana, CA | $87,182 | $52,000 | 334,217 | 24 |
| 23 | El Paso, TX | $68,771 | $40,000 | 683,080 | 36 |
| 24 | Mesa, AZ | $70,463 | $42,000 | 484,587 | 24 |
| 25 | Laredo, TX | $66,334 | $39,000 | 257,156 | 12 |
| 26 | Nashville, TN | $69,579 | $42,000 | 660,388 | 104 |
| 27 | Denver, CO | $75,117 | $46,000 | 693,060 | 247 |
| 28 | Madison, WI | $89,413 | $55,000 | 252,551 | 45 |
| 29 | Aurora, CO | $75,075 | $45,000 | 361,710 | 80 |
| 30 | Glendale, AZ | $70,770 | $42,000 | 245,895 | 13 |
| 31 | Bakersfield, CA | $94,195 | $55,000 | 376,380 | 17 |
| 32 | Philadelphia, PA | $83,345 | $53,000 | 1,567,872 | 133 |
| 33 | Memphis, TN | $65,799 | $39,000 | 652,717 | 76 |
| 34 | Long Beach, CA | $87,577 | $52,000 | 470,130 | 22 |
| 35 | Milwaukee, WI | $90,755 | $56,000 | 595,047 | 40 |
| 36 | Saint Paul, MN | $84,415 | $52,000 | 302,398 | 51 |
| 37 | Indianapolis, IN | $73,439 | $45,000 | 855,164 | 133 |
| 38 | Lexington, KY | $64,224 | $40,000 | 318,449 | 30 |
| 39 | Garland, TX | $65,336 | $38,000 | 234,943 | 10 |
| 40 | Raleigh, NC | $76,937 | $47,000 | 458,880 | 74 |
| 41 | Colorado Springs, CO | $74,718 | $45,000 | 465,101 | 102 |
| 42 | Chula Vista, CA | $84,829 | $50,000 | 267,172 | 6 |
| 43 | Minneapolis, MN | $84,315 | $52,000 | 413,651 | 94 |
| 44 | Pittsburgh, PA | $79,590 | $50,000 | 303,625 | 77 |
| 45 | Greensboro, NC | $76,464 | $47,000 | 287,027 | 22 |
| 46 | Jersey City, NJ | $102,405 | $65,000 | 264,152 | 44 |
| 47 | Buffalo, NY | $100,313 | $64,000 | 256,902 | 25 |
| 48 | Hialeah, FL | $53,065 | $31,000 | 236,387 | 15 |
| 49 | Chicago, IL | $80,281 | $50,000 | 2,704,958 | 71 |
| 50 | Miami, FL | $53,023 | $31,000 | 453,579 | 114 |
Highest paying cities for operations managers
| Rank | City | Avg. operations manager salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $107,162 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $102,034 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $101,074 |
| 4 | Washington, NJ | $100,630 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $94,462 |
| 6 | Seattle, WA | $90,852 |
| 7 | Arlington, VA | $90,526 |
| 8 | Baltimore, MD | $86,647 |
| 9 | Minneapolis, MN | $84,315 |
| 10 | Philadelphia, PA | $83,345 |
| 11 | Detroit, MI | $83,150 |
| 12 | Cleveland, OH | $82,279 |
| 13 | Chicago, IL | $80,281 |
| 14 | Las Vegas, NV | $77,625 |
| 15 | Raleigh, NC | $76,937 |
| 16 | Denver, CO | $75,117 |
| 17 | Indianapolis, IN | $73,439 |
| 18 | Portland, OR | $72,724 |
| 19 | Phoenix, AZ | $70,723 |
| 20 | Portland, ME | $68,095 |











