Careers in Business Operations Management
Professionals employed in business operations management assist company-wide departments in meeting objectives. Companies depend on these professionals for various duties, such as hiring employees, negotiating contracts, allocating budgets appropriately, optimizing operations, and leading teams through projects.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), individuals employed in business operations management earned an average annual salary of $82,670 as of May 2022. Common roles associated with business operations management include:
Entry-Level Roles in Business Operations Management
Operations Assistant. Operations assistants work alongside managers and staff members to ensure all organizational administrative tasks are completed successfully. According to Salary.com, the average annual salary for an operations assistant in the U.S. is $48,321.
Operations coordinators ensure all departments within an organization run efficiently and seamlessly. They plan purchases, negotiate contracts, and prepare budgets to run businesses with minimal downtime or disruption from any department’s workflow. In the U.S. alone, annual salaries average $70,400.
Operations Analyst. An Operations Analyst researches company operations to assist management teams in making more informed decisions, revising policies, adjusting logistics, and generally streamlining operations. The average annual salary for entry-level business operations analysts in the United States is $67,822.
Mid-Level Roles in Business Operations Management
Operations Specialist. An intermediate-level operations specialist is essential in supporting the operations leadership staff. These specialists oversee tasks such as scheduling, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and other administrative duties. The average annual salary for operations specialists in the U.S. is $56,111.
Scrum Masters. Scrum masters lead operations teams using project management software throughout a project and facilitate communication and collaboration between leaders and teams to ensure successful outcomes. Their average annual salary in the United States is $108,026.6
Senior-Level Roles in Business Operations Management
Operations managers oversee all activities associated with creating goods and services for their respective businesses, from purchases and inventory control to accounting, human resources administration, and IT support to overseeing human resources issues and IT support services. In the U.S. alone, the average annual salary for an operations manager is $120,016, while senior business operations managers may make even more.
Operations Director. An operations director oversees all operational aspects of company strategy. Their responsibilities may include setting strategic goals, communicating pertinent operations information to their CEO, leadership board members, and relevant stakeholders, and managing daily operations tasks themselves. On average, in the U.S. alone, an operations director’s annual salary is approximately $190,159.
Executive Roles in Business Operations Management
Vice presidents (VPs) of operations play an essential role in ensuring daily business practices meet operational goals and foster maximum efficiency. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), these individuals often liaise between the COO and mid-management leaders. Their average annual salary in the U.S. stands at $318,800.
COO: Chief Operating Officer. Chief operating officers (COOs) are senior executives charged with overseeing the day-to-day administrative and operational functions of their businesses, often reporting directly to the chief executive officer (CEO). The average annual salary for a chief operating officer in the U.S. is $488,323.
Pursuing a Degree in Business Operations Management
An exciting career path awaits those who enjoy making small and significant changes to how a business runs, using their leadership, organization, and passion to sculpt its direction and efficiency. Business operations managers are found in nearly every industry and enjoy lucrative salaries with plenty of room for growth and the satisfaction that comes from being sought out as needed for organizational needs.
WGU’s online B.S. in Supply Chain and Operations Management program features coursework designed by industry professionals. It allows you to study independently without fixed login times or login requirements. Get on your path toward business operations management today with WGU!
