How much does a general and operations manager make?
The median general and operations manager in the United States earns $105,770 per year, about $50.85 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all general and operations managers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 11-1021.
General and operations manager salary range
Pay for general and operations managers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $50,090 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $253,390. The average (mean) wage of $134,940 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $50,090 | $24.08 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $72,320 | $34.77 | |
| Median (50th) | $105,770 | $50.85 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $167,280 | $80.42 | |
| 90th percentile | $253,390 | $121.82 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for general and operations managers (SOC 11-1021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
General and operations manager salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. General and operations managers earn the most in New Jersey at $173,690 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $74,050. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $173,690 | 53,000 |
| District of Columbia | $168,000 | 36,150 |
| South Dakota | $137,400 | 4,280 |
| Connecticut | $137,220 | 39,070 |
| Delaware | $137,220 | 5,000 |
| Washington | $133,750 | 50,630 |
| Colorado | $131,840 | 41,870 |
| New York | $130,860 | 206,740 |
| Massachusetts | $127,220 | 95,880 |
| New Hampshire | $124,680 | 22,110 |
| California | $124,390 | 300,840 |
| Virginia | $122,080 | 103,590 |
| Wisconsin | $118,730 | 36,910 |
| Maryland | $117,930 | 96,740 |
| Rhode Island | $117,380 | 9,150 |
| Alaska | $116,630 | 6,020 |
| Alabama | $111,790 | 30,170 |
| Hawaii | $108,180 | 13,380 |
| Indiana | $108,170 | 47,180 |
| Tennessee | $106,970 | 63,720 |
| Mississippi | $106,680 | 10,630 |
| South Carolina | $106,080 | 32,230 |
| Georgia | $103,730 | 111,060 |
| Illinois | $103,570 | 171,300 |
| Oregon | $103,490 | 36,190 |
| Texas | $103,230 | 431,310 |
| Pennsylvania | $103,130 | 172,010 |
| North Carolina | $101,950 | 63,740 |
| Louisiana | $101,790 | 43,220 |
| Florida | $101,580 | 236,290 |
| Wyoming | $99,700 | 7,470 |
| Michigan | $99,530 | 85,860 |
| Nevada | $99,390 | 38,920 |
| Minnesota | $99,340 | 72,860 |
| Maine | $98,860 | 14,770 |
| Vermont | $98,640 | 8,000 |
| New Mexico | $98,630 | 16,330 |
| North Dakota | $98,170 | 11,150 |
| Utah | $97,850 | 42,580 |
| Ohio | $97,700 | 153,160 |
| Arizona | $94,800 | 110,480 |
| Kansas | $92,840 | 24,660 |
| Montana | $91,380 | 11,840 |
| Oklahoma | $90,430 | 43,890 |
| Iowa | $87,690 | 30,760 |
| Nebraska | $85,090 | 24,030 |
| West Virginia | $82,500 | 15,300 |
| Idaho | $80,390 | 24,880 |
| Kentucky | $79,370 | 52,100 |
| Missouri | $79,300 | 109,020 |
| Arkansas | $74,050 | 34,570 |
State median wages for general and operations managers (SOC 11-1021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for general and operations managers
The BLS projects employment of general and operations managers to grow 5% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 3,599,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 3,780,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 285,000 openings a year for general and operations managers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a general and operations manager
The typical entry-level education for general and operations managers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect 5 years or more of work experience in a related occupation.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a general and operations manager earns
Company size, industry, and metro area drive most of the pay gap. Executives and managers at large firms in major markets sit near the top of the range, while smaller organizations and rural areas pay lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New Jersey, $173,690) and the lowest (Arkansas, $74,050) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 3,503,020 people work as general and operations managers in the United States. At $105,770 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
General and operations manager salary FAQ
How much does a general and operations manager make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a general and operations manager is $50.85. The middle half of general and operations managers earn between $34.77 and $80.42 per hour.
What is the highest general and operations manager salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of general and operations managers earn more than $253,390 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a general and operations manager make a year?
The median annual salary for a general and operations manager is $105,770. The average (mean) wage of $134,940 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a general and operations manager a well paid job?
At $105,770 a year, a general and operations manager earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 3,503,020 people work as general and operations managers in the United States.
Which state pays general and operations managers the most?
New Jersey has the highest median salary for general and operations managers at $173,690 a year. District of Columbia ($168,000) and South Dakota ($137,400) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a general and operations manager a good career?
Employment of general and operations managers is projected to grow 5% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 285,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a general and operations manager?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for general and operations managers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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