Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for operations/quality managers in the United States
Operations/quality manager job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected operations/quality manager job growth rate is 3% from 2018-2028.
About 7,100 new jobs for operations/quality managers are projected over the next decade.
Operations/quality manager salaries have increased 12% for operations/quality managers in the last 5 years.
There are over 113,305 operations/quality managers currently employed in the United States.
There are 125,697 active operations/quality manager job openings in the US.
The average operations/quality manager salary is $93,990.
Are operations/quality manager jobs in demand?
Operations/quality manager job and salary trends over time
Operations/quality manager jobs over time
Operations/quality manager job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 113,305 | 0.03% |
| 2020 | 105,828 | 0.03% |
| 2019 | 109,501 | 0.03% |
| 2018 | 106,865 | 0.03% |
| 2017 | 101,109 | 0.03% |
Average operations/quality manager salary over time
Operations/quality manager salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $93,990 | $45.19 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $91,131 | $43.81 | +2.0% |
| 2023 | $89,316 | $42.94 | +2.8% |
| 2022 | $86,897 | $41.78 | +3.5% |
| 2021 | $83,925 | $40.35 | +3.4% |
Operations/quality manager jobs by state
Most common states for operations/quality managers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 493 | 37% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 250 | 36% |
| 3 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,757 | 32% |
| 4 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 2,757 | 27% |
| 5 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,771 | 27% |
| 6 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 525 | 27% |
| 7 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,932 | 26% |
| 8 | Alaska | 739,795 | 185 | 25% |
| 9 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 745 | 24% |
| 10 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 250 | 24% |
| 11 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 140 | 24% |
| 12 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 2,428 | 23% |
| 13 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,321 | 23% |
| 14 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 311 | 23% |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 2,869 | 22% |
| 16 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,338 | 22% |
| 17 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 645 | 22% |
| 18 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 192 | 22% |
| 19 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 2,410 | 21% |
| 20 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 365 | 21% |
Most common cities for operations/quality managers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frankfort | 1 | 4% | $73,338 |
| 2 | Annapolis | 1 | 3% | $94,145 |
| 3 | Dover | 1 | 3% | $85,550 |
| 4 | Juneau | 1 | 3% | $145,861 |
| 5 | Bethesda | 1 | 2% | $93,598 |
| 6 | Bellevue | 1 | 1% | $112,710 |
| 7 | Hartford | 1 | 1% | $103,554 |
| 8 | Lansing | 1 | 1% | $106,398 |
| 9 | Little Rock | 1 | 1% | $54,015 |
| 10 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $62,323 |
| 11 | Baton Rouge | 1 | 0% | $66,957 |
| 12 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $109,576 |
| 13 | Denver | 1 | 0% | $80,447 |
| 14 | Des Moines | 1 | 0% | $61,605 |
| 15 | Fremont | 1 | 0% | $140,983 |
| 16 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $77,892 |
Operations/Quality Manager job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of operations/quality manager experts
Murray State University
University of Alaska Fairbanks
University of Iowa
San Francisco State University
Pepperdine University, Seaver College
Sam Houston State University
Farmingdale State College
University of Indianapolis
The City College of New York
University of Cincinnati
Belmont University
Goldey-Beacom College
Sonoma State University
Centenary College of Louisiana
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Dr. Ben Littlepage
ProfessorMurray State University
Educational Administration And Supervision
What will help Operations/Quality Managers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Ben Littlepage: Salary is maximized when leaders are sought after. Leaders who pursue meaningful experiences and remain 'market ready' are viewed as an asset to any organization. Leaders must carefully consider where the field is moving and respond.
What general advice would you give to an Operations/Quality Manager?
Jaunelle Celaire: Leadership - the world needs more of these; the ability to lead, craft and grow. Digital literacy - this world is definitely turning digital and virtual is the new trend. Emotional intelligence - there is a vast number of personalities in our world today; individuals grow and it is our job to stay emotionally connected, so we can operate more effectively.
What Operations/Quality Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jaunelle Celaire: Never stop learning! This may consist of going back to school, earning new certifications in your field of study, attending conferences and seminars, and making sure that your time management is always at its finest level of excellence.
What skills stand out on Operations/Quality Manager resumes?
Casey DeRoo Ph.D.: Rather than a concrete skill, previous experience in managing teams to accomplish engineering-related tasks is sure to make you a standout. Showcasing familiarity with work management software (e.g., Jira) or budget/total effort tracking systems is important. Find out what software the company you're seeking employment with uses, and be sure to highlight this if you're familiar with it.
What soft skills should all Operations/Quality Managers possess?
Casey DeRoo Ph.D.: The ability to understand the people on your team and allocate project work accordingly is important. In this role, you may find that you "step back" from the day-to-day of engineering and coordinate work on a project across multiple individuals with unique outlooks and skillsets. Recognize that "one size doesn't fit all" when it comes to management. Harnessing the make-up or the desired professional goals of your team to accomplish your assigned projects leads to better outcomes and productivity. Many skilled engineers lack leadership skills, so highlight these on your resume or during your interview if you have applicable experience.
Bruce Heiman Ph.D.
Professor of International BusinessSan Francisco State University
Department of International Business
What skills stand out on Operations/Quality Manager resumes?
Bruce Heiman Ph.D.: I'm taking my cue on this response from the required Intl Business Courses we offer for a certificate in the Master's programs in business.
-Familiarity with basic international business terms, theories, and vocabulary
-Knowledge of cases and stories from the past
-Multiple language skills beyond English (this sometimes lands people specific jobs)
-Negotiation skills in a multinational/multicultural environment
-Design/creativity skills (e.g., sketching, brainstorming, Idea Mapping, 3D fast prototyping)
-Problem identification/formulation skills/experience
-Experience in a practicum (working on a class project for a real firm on a real problem
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Operations/Quality Managers?
Steven Bauer: The coronavirus has accelerated the transformation to a digital world, and this effect will continue after the pandemic is behind us. Graduates will need to be able to navigate a hybrid business environment, with in-person and virtual meetings, interactions and platforms. There will also be increased opportunities to be entrepreneurial and innovative in the digital area. In addition, graduates will have to become more skilled at navigating a global environment since greater digitization will draw countries closer to each other.
Carliss Miller Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of ManagementSam Houston State University
Department of Management & Marketing
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Operations/Quality Manager job market given the pandemic?
Carliss Miller Ph.D.: Flexible working arrangements were considered a perk or benefit, but given the pandemic more and more jobs will be designed with flexible work arrangements in mind. We will continue to see trends in the labor market with a push towards personal services (e.g. virtual assistants, professional organizers) and professional services. There will also continue to be a demand for knowledge work. More and more, employers are looking to hire applicants that can provide concrete evidence of being "Day 1" ready.
Employers will focus more on identifying prospects with certain "soft skills" which were a nice-to-have pre-pandemic, but are now critical for organizational survival. These skills include: critical thinking, agility, ability to adapt to change, resilience, virtual team effectiveness, crisis management, emotional intelligence, empathy, and inclusive leadership. Additionally, data analysis and interpretation is a highly sought after skill even for jobs that historically did not require analytical ability.
What's a good job out of college for Operations/Quality Managers?
Carliss Miller Ph.D.: Good jobs out of college are those that offer structured training, development, and job rotation. While some college students identified their career at age 5 and never veered away, some are still figuring out what they want to do after college. A job opportunity that recognizes the potential of new talent, willing to invest in training and development, and provides opportunities for new employees to experience different job functions enables new graduates to gain a realistic job preview that pays and allows them to identify an opportunity within the company that best aligns with skills and interests. Positions that are for a specific job function but have an apprenticeship model, like a "sales trainee" position, are also great for career stepping stones right out of college.
Xu Zhang Ph.D.
ChairFarmingdale State College
Department of Economics
What skills stand out on Operations/Quality Manager resumes?
Xu Zhang Ph.D.: I believe the most important attributes employers seek on a resume remain the same-problem solving skills, team work skills, analytical/quantitative skills, verbal and written communication skills. However, given the pandemic or any other unexpected shock to work environment, how to quickly and efficiently adapt to new work modes can be a very valuable attribute standing out on resume.
Dr. Gaoming Zhang
Associate Professor, Chair, Department of Leadership & Educational StudiesUniversity of Indianapolis
Department of Leadership & Educational Studies, School of Education
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Operations/Quality Manager job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Gaoming Zhang: Teacher shortage. We have heard the term of teacher shortage for a while. But this year the pandemic has intensified this long standing shortage to crisis levels. Thousands of teachers are needed during the pandemic, to keep schools open (in-person and virtual learning).
- An increasing need for people with experiences/knowledge of online/hybrid/virtual learning. For decades technology has been viewed as a supplemental tool (or in some people's mind a disruption) in teaching and learning. Not any more. How to design content/curriculum that can be delivered online? How to accommodate learners with special needs in an online environment? How to promote learners' engagement in an online/hybrid environment? These are all great opportunities and challenges unfolded for beginning teachers in such a highly changing environment nowadays.
What type of skills will young Operations/Quality Managers need?
Prabal Kumar De Ph.D.: I think the necessary skills remain the same. One modification that would stay is greater virtual engagement. Therefore, newly essential skills such as acing a virtual interview, making a mark during a Zoom meeting, or managing or being a valuable part of a remote working group would be useful long after the immediate threats from the COVID-19 crisis be gone.
Christine Tonnis
Assistant Professor, Educator, Electrical Engineering Co-op Adviser, Electrical Engineering Technology Co-op AdviserUniversity of Cincinnati
Division of Experience Based Learning & Career Education
What general advice would you give to an Operations/Quality Manager?
Christine Tonnis: Be Flexible! These are uncertain times, but often there are unexpected, positive outcomes when we allow ourselves to explore options that we were not open to initially! Statistically, the more positions/job postings to which you are willing to apply, the better your odds for getting an interview.
Stay active! Keep up with the job search, stay in touch with your personal and professional network of people, keep learning, and stay physically active-proven to lift your mood! Energetic, curious and happy people are more likely to find work.
Nina Woodard
Senior Career Development SpecialistBelmont University
Office of Career & Professional Development
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Operations/Quality Manager job market given the pandemic?
Nina Woodard: The pandemic hasn't impacted all areas of the entertainment industry in the same way. Anything related to live events and touring has been placed on an extended pause, which has been very difficult for graduates hoping to work in those fields. On an encouraging note, consumers will always find a way back to live experiences, so that segment of the industry will absolutely recover; the timing is just still a bit unknown. Other areas such as record or publishing companies have held steady. And, digital marketing and content creation companies are as busy, if not busier, than they've ever been as artists seek alternative ways to stay connected to their fans. Technology has intersected with entertainment in exciting, creative ways that will continue even as some of the more traditional avenues become available again. For many companies, ideas that started as pivots are now vibrant components of their long-term strategies.
The way we work may have also permanently changed. Companies have realized that remote working is a truly viable option for most businesses. While maintaining company culture, and the social nature of an entertainment-based organization, may still require some level of in-person interaction, it seems likely that many organizations may continue with remote/hybrid office models.
What Operations/Quality Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Nina Woodard: For entertainment, digital marketing and content creation skills are critical. Even if a role isn't specifically connected to digital marketing, social media is almost always involved in most entry-level roles. We strongly encourage students and recent graduates to learn basic graphic design platforms, video editing and audio editing. Learning how to maximize impact on social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram or TikTok is also a worthy investment of time. There's a wide range of self-paced training resources online, many available for free or at reduced costs for students.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Operations/Quality Managers?
Dr. Nicole Evans: The full impact of the coronavirus pandemic is not yet known. Some industries have been hit harder than others. For example, demand for courier and logistic services has increased during the pandemic. On the other hand, sales in the hospitality industry have declined. On a positive note, young graduates are very adaptable and are just beginning their careers. They are very flexible and have numerous career options, so the impact will probably not be enduring and long term for them.
Craig Nathanson Ph.D.
Adjunct LecturerSonoma State University
School of Business & Economics
What type of skills will young Operations/Quality Managers need?
Craig Nathanson Ph.D.: I see the essential human skills gaining importance to build a new post-covid work life. These include creativity, leading and working in teams, writing, speaking, being self-aware, and lowering bias and networking; career branding as critical areas for graduates to focus on now.
What experience really stands out on Operations/Quality Manager resumes?
Craig Nathanson Ph.D.: Most important on resumes to only show accomplishments you are proud of and reflect measurable success and completion of past work. These accomplishments should be a snapshot of what we have done and can do in the future. The most important two lines of a resume are in the objectives, to list what the person is seeking. These two lines give the reader a quick view of what the person wants.
Now is a great time to start the new year to build a portable work portfolio to represent an alignment of what a person is excited about and enjoys in their work.
Dr. Barbara Davis
William J. Atkins DeanCentenary College of Louisiana
Frost School of Business
What experience really stands out on Operations/Quality Manager resumes?
Dr. Barbara Davis: Graduates participating in internships related to their areas of interest. Internships spanning more than one semester at the same firm stand out as well.
What skills stand out on Operations/Quality Manager resumes?
Dr. Timothy Edwards: Writing and research skills. Analytical and critical thinking skills. Technical skills such as web design, graphic design, audio and video production skills. Employers are interested in potential employees knowledge, intelligence and skills.