What senior roles can I move into if I start as an operations manager?
As an operations manager, you can advance to senior positions such as Director of Operations or Chief Operating Officer over time. The role pays around $90,000 to $140,000 a year, with higher pay in Canada and across Europe, especially in logistics and manufacturing.
Starting out as an operations manager is not a career dead end, it is a launchpad. With an MBA, you can move up to senior roles such as Director of Operations or eventually Chief Operating Officer as you gain experience managing daily operations and supply chains.
Operations Manager Pay and Career Path
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Average Salary | $90,000 - $140,000 per year |
| Higher Paying Regions | Canada and across Europe |
| Senior Roles You Can Reach | Director of Operations, Chief Operating Officer (COO) |
Industries Where This Path Works Best
This career path is especially strong in logistics, consulting, and manufacturing, where operations managers who show strong leadership and efficiency gains are consistently promoted into wider, more strategic roles across the business.
My Advice
If your goal is to reach COO one day, look for operations manager roles in logistics or manufacturing early on, since these industries tend to offer the clearest promotion ladders. Keep track of the efficiency improvements you deliver, since that is the evidence that gets you promoted.
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