Operations Manager.
Boston.
$110,000
median salary, 20% above the national average
$84,000 to $143,000. Last updated August 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Orbyt estimates Operations Manager pay in Boston at $110,000, within a range of $84,000 to $143,000. That is 20% above the national average. Boston's job market is powered by world class universities, a thriving biotech corridor, and established finance and healthcare sectors. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page.
Salary range.
Where do you fall?
Orbyt estimate for Operations Manager in Boston, modelled from national occupation wages adjusted for local cost of living. The published government benchmark for this occupation is below.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $133,800 for General and Operations Managers (SOC 11-1021) in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metropolitan area, based on 70,950 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$63,020
25th percentile
$89,650
Median
$133,800
75th percentile
$210,290
90th percentile
$329,130
Workers surveyed
70,950
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to General and Operations Managers (SOC 11-1021) rather than Operations Manager specifically. The Boston range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 11-1021Salary by experience.
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $99,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$72,000
to $88,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$94,000
to $116,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$121,000
to $143,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$138,000
to $171,000
Total compensation.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $33,000 to the total package.
Base
$110,000
Equity
$19,000
Bonus
$12,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $143,000
How Boston compares.
Boston, MA
$110,000
Cost of living: 22% above average
National Average
$92,000
Boston is $18,000 above
Operations Manager salary by city.
Salary by role in Boston.
What you should know.
If you are interviewing for Operations Manager roles in Boston, here is what you are walking into. Boston's job market is powered by world class universities, a thriving biotech corridor, and established finance and healthcare sectors. The Kendall Square area is one of the most concentrated biotech hubs globally. Tech salaries in Boston are competitive with West Coast markets, particularly for roles that intersect with life sciences, AI, and robotics. Industry, scope of operations (regional vs. national), and P&L responsibility are the largest factors. Operations managers in technology, logistics, and healthcare earn more than those in retail or hospitality. Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, or large scale process automation directly correlates with higher compensation.
Operations coordinators start at $45,000 to $60,000, advancing to operations manager at $80,000 to $110,000 in three to five years. Senior operations managers earn $110,000 to $145,000. Directors of Operations reach $145,000 to $200,000, and VP/COO roles at mid to large companies can exceed $250,000. In Boston, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 22% above average, and employers adjust to compete.
Base salary is not the full picture. Bonuses of 10 to 20% tied to efficiency metrics, cost savings, or throughput targets are standard. Profit sharing arrangements are common in manufacturing and logistics. Equity is available at tech companies. Benefits often include vehicle allowances and relocation packages for multi site responsibilities. And on the tax side: massachusetts has a flat 5% income tax on most earnings, plus a 4% surtax on income above $1 million. There is no city income tax in Boston, keeping the total burden moderate. When someone quotes you $110,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Emphasize specialized credentials or advanced degrees. Boston employers, especially in biotech and finance, place a premium on educational pedigree and certifications. The range for Operations Managers in Boston runs from $84,000 to $143,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: BLS OES, H-1B LCA (DOL). COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified July 1, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Technical Writer in Boston earns $112,000 (2% more)
- The highest-paying role in Boston is CTO at $381,000
Common questions.
Operations Manager salary in other cities.
Other salaries in Boston.
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Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
"Operations Manager Salary in Boston, MA." Orbyt Salary Explorer, August 2026. https://www.orbytlabs.ai/orbyt-jobs/salaries/operations-manager/boston
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