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Create CVIf you’re researching VP Operations salary, you’re likely asking one of three things: how much does a VP of Operations make, what determines that compensation, and how you can position yourself to earn at the top of the market.
The reality is this: VP Operations compensation varies dramatically depending on company size, industry, and scope. A VP Ops at a mid-sized manufacturing company earning $160K is playing a completely different game than a SaaS VP Ops earning $350K+ total compensation with equity.
This guide breaks down real US salary data, recruiter-level insights, and negotiation strategies so you understand not just what you can earn, but how to maximize it.
In the United States, the VP of Operations salary range looks like this:
Base Salary (Low): $140,000
Base Salary (Average): $190,000
Base Salary (High): $260,000+
Total Compensation (TC):
Low End: $160,000
Mid Range: $220,000 – $300,000
Top Tier (Large companies / Tech): $350,000 – $600,000+
Monthly equivalent:
Base: $140,000 – $170,000
Bonus: 10–20%
Total Compensation: $160,000 – $210,000
These roles are often “title inflation” VPs at smaller companies or startups.
Base: $170,000 – $220,000
Bonus: 20–35%
Equity: $20K – $80K annually
Base: $200,000 – $260,000
Bonus: 25–50%
Equity: Significant (RSUs or stock options)
Total Compensation: $300,000 – $600,000+
Tech drives the highest compensation due to scalability and margin impact.
Base: $150,000 – $210,000
Bonus: 15–30%
Equity: Limited
Top 10% of VP Operations professionals (especially in tech, logistics, or PE-backed companies) routinely exceed $500K+ total compensation due to bonuses and equity.
Total Compensation: $230,000 – $320,000
This is the most common bracket for experienced VP Ops leaders.
Base: $220,000 – $280,000+
Bonus: 30–60%
Equity: $100K – $300K+ annually
Total Compensation: $350,000 – $600,000+
These candidates often report directly to the CEO and own multi-region or global operations.
Total Compensation: $180,000 – $260,000
More stable but lower upside compared to tech.
Base: $160,000 – $220,000
Bonus: 10–25%
Total Compensation: $190,000 – $260,000
Highly regulated environment limits aggressive compensation growth.
Base: $180,000 – $250,000
Bonus: 30–70%
Equity: Meaningful exit upside
Total Compensation: $300,000 – $700,000+
This is where compensation can spike significantly if you drive EBITDA growth.
Base: $140,000 – $180,000
Bonus: 10–20%
Equity: Sometimes offered
Total Compensation: $160,000 – $220,000
Often broader responsibilities but limited budget.
Base: $170,000 – $220,000
Bonus: 20–35%
Total Compensation: $220,000 – $320,000
Balanced mix of scope and compensation.
Base: $220,000 – $280,000+
Bonus: 30–60%
Equity: RSUs
Total Compensation: $350,000 – $550,000+
Highly structured compensation bands and approval processes.
Fixed income
Determined by leveling and internal pay bands
Usually 60–70% of total compensation
Typically 20–50% of base
Based on company and operational KPIs
EBITDA, cost savings, efficiency improvements
Common in tech and PE-backed companies
Vesting over 3–4 years
Can exceed base salary in high-growth companies
$20,000 – $100,000
Used to offset unvested equity from previous role
Healthcare (often premium coverage)
401(k) match (3–6%)
Executive perks (car allowance, retention bonuses)
A VP managing a single facility vs a global supply chain are priced completely differently.
Revenue responsibility
Team size (50 vs 1,000 employees)
Geographic scope
Operations leaders directly affect margins.
Cost reduction capability
Process optimization
Scalability of operations
The more measurable your impact, the higher your compensation ceiling.
SaaS companies can pay more due to high margins
Manufacturing has tighter margins → lower pay ceilings
VP Ops with experience in:
Scaling companies from $50M → $500M
Leading transformations or turnarounds
Managing global logistics
…are significantly more valuable.
Recruiters don’t “guess” salaries. They operate within:
Pre-approved compensation bands
Finance-approved budgets
Internal equity constraints
By the time a role opens:
Salary band is already approved
Bonus structure is defined
Equity range is set
Your negotiation happens within that range, not outside it.
Two candidates can receive vastly different offers:
Weak Example:
“I’ve managed operations teams before.”
Good Example:
“I reduced operational costs by 18% across 3 regions and scaled fulfillment capacity by 2.5x.”
Why this matters: compensation follows measurable business impact, not job titles.
Focus on:
Cost savings delivered
Revenue enablement
Efficiency improvements
Move toward:
SaaS / Tech
Private equity-backed firms
Logistics at scale
You get paid more when you manage:
Larger teams
Bigger budgets
More complex systems
The strongest negotiation leverage is:
Multiple offers
Active interview pipelines
Most candidates leave money on the table by ignoring:
Equity
Bonus structure
Signing bonuses
Say:
“I’m targeting total compensation in the $300K–$350K range based on similar roles.”
Tie your ask to:
Market benchmarks
Your past results
If base is capped:
Increase bonus percentage
Negotiate equity
Ask for signing bonus
Never say:
“I’m currently making $180K.”
Instead:
“I’m focused on roles in the $250K+ total compensation range.”
SVP Operations: $300K – $600K+
COO: $400K – $1M+ total compensation
Top VP Ops professionals:
Join high-growth companies early
Receive significant equity
Participate in exits
Result:
A “VP” title without real responsibility limits future earnings.
Ignoring equity and bonus can cost you hundreds of thousands long-term.
If a company caps base at $220K, pushing for $260K won’t work. You must shift negotiation strategy.
A VP of Operations in the US can realistically expect:
$180K – $250K base salary
$220K – $350K total compensation (most common range)
$400K+ in high-growth or tech environments
Your actual earnings depend less on your title and more on:
Scope
Impact
Industry
Negotiation strategy
If you understand how compensation is structured and position yourself strategically, you can move from mid-range to top-tier compensation far faster than most candidates.
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