Academics

Admission & Aid

Learn

Employment

Contact

Academics

Admission & Aid

Learn

Employment

Contact

Business

Business

Operations Manager

Modern white structure with glass windows reflecting sky

Keep Business Moving

Lead Team Success

Solve Big Challenges

Path to completion

Path to completion

Undergraduate

Bachelor in Business Administration

4 Semesters

$20k-$60K

Master of Business Administration

4 Semesters

$20k-$60K

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.

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


  • • Operations Manager • General Manager • Director of Operations • Operations Supervisor • Business Operations Manager • Plant Operations Manager • Logistics Manager • Production Manager • Operations Coordinator

    • Operations Manager • General Manager • Director of Operations • Operations Supervisor • Business Operations Manager • Plant Operations Manager • Logistics Manager • Production Manager • Operations Coordinator

  • • Operations Manager • General Manager • Director of Operations • Operations Supervisor • Business Operations Manager • Plant Operations Manager • Logistics Manager • Production Manager • Operations Coordinator

    • Operations Manager • General Manager • Director of Operations • Operations Supervisor • Business Operations Manager • Plant Operations Manager • Logistics Manager • Production Manager • Operations Coordinator

  • • Operations Manager • General Manager • Director of Operations • Operations Supervisor • Business Operations Manager • Plant Operations Manager • Logistics Manager • Production Manager • Operations Coordinator

    • Operations Manager • General Manager • Director of Operations • Operations Supervisor • Business Operations Manager • Plant Operations Manager • Logistics Manager • Production Manager • Operations Coordinator

Core Areas of Impact

How your skills translate into meaningful real-world change

Make Things Work Better

You improve processes and remove obstacles for teams.

Make Things Work Better

You improve processes and remove obstacles for teams.

Lead Cross-Functional Teams

You coordinate diverse groups toward common goals.

Lead Cross-Functional Teams

You coordinate diverse groups toward common goals.

See Tangible Impact

Your decisions produce measurable operational results.

See Tangible Impact

Your decisions produce measurable operational results.

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.

Explore Related Careers in
Business