Operations Manager
Keep Business Moving
Lead Team Success
Solve Big Challenges
Undergraduate
Graduate
Post-Graduate
No degrees available
This is the educational pathway. There may be additional tests or licensure requirements necessary before begining to practice in the field. Consult your state guidelines for more. information.
Career Reality
Average Salary
Operations manager salaries typically range about $101,280 median, with lower around $46,340 and higher up $160,290+ annually depending on industry and organization size.
Job Market Demand
Employment for general and operations managers is projected to grow about 4% from 2024 to 2034, plus tens of thousands of openings annually from turnover and new jobs.
Work Environment
Full-time roles often in offices, plants, warehouses, or on-site depending on industry; may include collaboration, meetings, and periodic travel.
Common Employers
Corporations, manufacturing, logistics and warehousing operations, retail, healthcare systems, technology and service organizations.
Career Advancement
Pathways can lead to senior operations leadership, director of operations, VP of operations, COO, or general management.
Popular Titles
Core Areas of Impact
Is this career right for you?
What is the role of an operations manager?
An operations manager oversees daily business operations, ensuring teams, processes, and resources work together to meet organizational goals.
What does a typical day look like?
A typical day includes coordinating staff, managing workflows, solving operational issues, monitoring performance metrics, and aligning activities with strategic priorities.
Where do operations managers work?
They work in offices, factories, warehouses, retail environments, healthcare facilities, and on location where production or service delivery occurs.
What are the common job titles and career paths?
Titles include Operations Manager, General Manager, Director of Operations, and related roles; career paths often lead into senior leadership roles like VP of Operations or COO.
Who is this career a good fit for?
Operations management suits people with leadership, organization, problem-solving skills, and an ability to coordinate teams and resources.
What are the biggest rewards of this career?
Rewards include seeing measurable improvements in efficiency, team success, and contributing to business performance across functions.
What does long-term growth look like?
Long-term growth includes moving into senior operations leadership, strategic management, executive roles, or specialization in supply chain, production, or business strategy.
What does the educational pathway look like for an operations manager?
Most operations managers begin with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, or a related field. This provides essential training in organizational leadership, process improvement, finance, and team coordination.
Many professionals advance into higher-level operations and executive roles by earning a Master of Business Administration. An MBA strengthens strategic planning, decision-making, and cross-functional management skills that are critical for senior operations leadership.
Sara Schenirer’s BA in Business Administration offers strong preparation for entry and mid-level operations roles, and the MBA provides a direct pathway into director-level and executive operations careers.
