Salary guide, May 2025
Senior Director of Operations pay, United States
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
This is what we do all day: recruit manufacturing professionals.
The median annual wage for Chief Executives in the United States was $213,990 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $129,540 and $356,200.
Broader occupation · SOC 11-1011 Chief Executives
Senior Director of Operations is shown within the broader published occupation. BLS does not separate this plant-specific title, seniority, shift, process or credential. Compare the duties with the SOC definition before using the range.
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,700 | $129,540 | $213,990 | $356,200 | $507,730 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $36.39 | $62.28 | $102.88 | $171.25 | $244.10 |
BLS estimated 204,350 workers employed in this occupation in the United States.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 11-1011 Chief Executives, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
How does pay compare in the target metros?
| Metro | Median | 25th to 75th | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | Not published by BLS for this area. National figures above apply. | |||
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | Not published by BLS for this area. National figures above apply. | |||
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | Not published by BLS for this area. National figures above apply. | |||
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $286,050 | $171,810 to $417,820 | 360 | 0.36 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $301,440 | $208,320 to $462,490 | 7,180 | 0.58 |
| Northern New Jersey within New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $301,440 | $208,320 to $462,490 | 7,180 | 0.58 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $320,060 | $198,120 to $442,330 | 2,580 | 0.49 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $344,960 | $197,530 to $428,710 | 3,610 | 0.61 |
Rank every metro for Senior Director of Operations
What should you know about pay by manufacturing industry, United States?
Same BLS occupation, national estimates for each manufacturing industry (NAICS) BLS publishes, May 2025. Industry names are BLS labels.
- Communications Equipment Manufacturing$409,320
- Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing$369,510
- Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing$360,290
- Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing$360,290
- Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing$349,200
- Paper Manufacturing$344,970
- Converted Paper Product Manufacturing$344,970
- Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing$341,650
- Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing$330,940
- Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing$327,880
- Chemical Manufacturing$326,280
- Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing$323,770
- Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing$314,990
- Wood Product Manufacturing$311,420
- Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing$310,220
Bars show up to 15 industries with exact annual medians. The table lists every published industry.
| NAICS | Industry | Employment | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31-33 | Manufacturing | 10,990 | $160,390 | $263,290 | $390,070 |
| 334000 | Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing | 1,480 | $191,620 | $300,650 | $424,700 |
| 332000 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 1,370 | $137,500 | $206,740 | $313,780 |
| 311000 | Food Manufacturing | 1,300 | $160,890 | $274,990 | $420,680 |
| 325000 | Chemical Manufacturing | 1,140 | $202,100 | $326,280 | $408,820 |
| 333000 | Machinery Manufacturing | 1,020 | $139,540 | $219,510 | $352,610 |
| 339000 | Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 880 | $141,010 | $294,840 | $405,530 |
| 336000 | Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 770 | $159,090 | $272,830 | $393,520 |
| 3330A1 | Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | 710 | $145,010 | $214,920 | $354,870 |
| 334500 | Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | 680 | $210,270 | $306,050 | $435,150 |
| 335000 | Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing | 550 | $190,340 | $323,770 | $394,980 |
| 325400 | Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | 510 | $201,990 | $369,510 | $408,820 |
| 339100 | Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | 510 | $215,230 | $327,880 | $419,560 |
| 3320A1 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) | 470 | $156,020 | $216,570 | $355,510 |
| 326000 | Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing | 450 | $169,760 | $243,120 | $421,530 |
| 311900 | Other Food Manufacturing | 400 | $174,520 | $301,120 | $441,210 |
| 3320A2 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) | 390 | $160,810 | $212,200 | $307,460 |
| 332700 | Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 380 | $123,590 | $178,670 | $247,400 |
| 339900 | Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 380 | $125,730 | $173,560 | $327,100 |
| 3250A1 | Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only) | 350 | $203,280 | $300,900 | $428,840 |
| 334400 | Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | 350 | $219,450 | $349,200 | $431,780 |
| 326100 | Plastics Product Manufacturing | 340 | $175,270 | $244,590 | $446,450 |
| 332710 | Machine Shops | 340 | $123,590 | $176,070 | $232,460 |
| 331000 | Primary Metal Manufacturing | 290 | $105,600 | $257,460 | $310,230 |
| 337000 | Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing | 280 | $123,490 | $217,200 | $336,120 |
| 3250A2 | Chemical Manufacturing (3255 and 3256 only) | 270 | $205,990 | $277,750 | $370,200 |
| 335900 | Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing | 270 | $211,550 | $341,650 | $412,110 |
| 336400 | Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 270 | $201,050 | $281,650 | $355,230 |
| 336300 | Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | 250 | $122,750 | $314,990 | $423,110 |
| 3370A1 | Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (3371 and 3372 only) | 250 | $123,450 | $218,560 | $361,750 |
| 311400 | Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing | 230 | $128,650 | $229,290 | $395,010 |
| 335300 | Electrical Equipment Manufacturing | 220 | $164,830 | $271,430 | $363,630 |
| 312000 | Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing | 210 | $205,180 | $273,450 | $399,990 |
| 322000 | Paper Manufacturing | 210 | $195,970 | $344,970 | $499,320 |
| 322200 | Converted Paper Product Manufacturing | 210 | $195,760 | $344,970 | $499,320 |
| 311600 | Animal Slaughtering and Processing | 200 | $166,920 | $264,590 | $452,790 |
| 312100 | Beverage Manufacturing | 190 | $213,620 | $281,130 | $399,990 |
| 321000 | Wood Product Manufacturing | 180 | $124,420 | $311,420 | $377,800 |
| 311800 | Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing | 170 | $161,220 | $330,940 | $437,700 |
| 327000 | Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 160 | $212,260 | $277,640 | $363,180 |
| 327000 | Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 160 | $212,260 | $277,640 | $363,180 |
| 333500 | Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | 150 | $124,680 | $176,560 | $320,080 |
| 334200 | Communications Equipment Manufacturing | 150 | $246,110 | $409,320 | $447,710 |
| 311500 | Dairy Product Manufacturing | 140 | $138,990 | $198,910 | $308,900 |
| 321900 | Other Wood Product Manufacturing | 140 | $105,640 | $307,640 | $367,810 |
| 333300 | Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing | 140 | $214,420 | $299,240 | $370,220 |
| 332800 | Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities | 130 | $134,010 | $202,060 | $320,660 |
| 326200 | Rubber Product Manufacturing | 110 | $153,280 | $208,210 | $340,150 |
| 334100 | Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | 110 | $188,680 | $243,470 | $400,980 |
| 315000 | Apparel Manufacturing | 100 | $146,640 | $162,590 | $445,360 |
| 315200 | Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing | 100 | $146,640 | $162,330 | $528,880 |
| 336200 | Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing | 90 | $109,990 | $208,670 | $379,400 |
| 331500 | Foundries | 70 | $186,190 | $257,460 | $286,070 |
| 336600 | Ship and Boat Building | 70 | $101,130 | $243,150 | $403,930 |
| 313000 | Textile Mills | 60 | $146,370 | $176,450 | $376,100 |
| 324000 | Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 60 | $303,990 | $360,290 | $447,260 |
| 324100 | Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 60 | $303,990 | $360,290 | $447,260 |
| 331100 | Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | 60 | $72,250 | $310,220 | $541,580 |
| 335100 | Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing | 60 | $239,200 or more | $239,200 or more | $239,200 or more |
| 331200 | Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | 50 | $198,380 | $275,320 | $331,550 |
| 311200 | Grain and Oilseed Milling | 40 | $184,410 | $264,440 | $359,060 |
| 311300 | Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing | 40 | $190,390 | $276,290 | $380,610 |
| 314000 | Textile Product Mills | 40 | $176,820 | $206,270 | $258,950 |
| 314900 | Other Textile Product Mills | 40 | $176,820 | $206,270 | $258,950 |
| 332720 | Turned Product and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 40 | $109,880 | $211,540 | $331,280 |
| 336100 | Motor Vehicle Manufacturing | 40 | $185,480 | $276,910 | $419,090 |
| 336900 | Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 30 | $162,060 | $187,470 | $237,490 |
What should you know about manufacturing pay mix?
For Senior Director of Operations, separate the guaranteed salary from any discretionary bonus or commission arrangement. OEWS includes base rate, guaranteed pay and production incentive pay. It excludes overtime premium, shift differentials and nonproduction bonuses. An attendance bonus is not a production bonus; confirm its purpose and treatment rather than adding every bonus to the BLS figure.
Skills-based pay steps affect the base rate when they are part of straight-time pay; BLS does not publish a separate rate for each plant's skill grade. Ask whether a tool allowance is expense reimbursement or wage pay. OEWS does not publish a separate tool-allowance component. Keep these items separate in the offer so the published wage is not mistaken for the whole package.
Pay mix here means how published medians for this one BLS occupation differ across manufacturing industries and against the all-industry median. It does not split pay into base, incentive or overtime. BLS wages are straight-time gross pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials and nonproduction bonuses.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $126,080 | $206,420 | Top-coded, no exact figure |
| May 2025 | $129,540 | $213,990 | $356,200 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Recruiter's read. Qualitative, not BLS data.
What should you know about a move that can hold up?
Someone working in operations directors already responsible for complex manufacturing portfolios needs a clear reason to leave. If the answer depends on authority over a larger or more difficult operating remit than the site's director role that you cannot offer, that mismatch belongs in the conversation before an offer.
What should you know about questions?
Wages for the OEWS survey are straight-time, gross pay, exclusive of premium pay. Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
What is the median pay for a Senior Director of Operations?
The median annual wage for Chief Executives in the United States was $213,990 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $129,540 and $356,200. This is the broader occupation BLS publishes, not a figure for this exact title.
What does the 10th percentile mean here?
10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than $75,700. 90% earned less than $507,730.
Does this include overtime or bonuses?
Wages for the OEWS survey are straight-time, gross pay, exclusive of premium pay. Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
Is this the pay for a Senior Director of Operations at a plant?
Senior Director of Operations is shown within the broader published occupation. BLS does not separate this plant-specific title, seniority, shift, process or credential. Compare the duties with the SOC definition before using the range. These are occupation estimates across all industries, not an offer for a particular manufacturing title.
How many people work in this occupation?
BLS estimated 204,350 workers employed in this occupation in the United States.
What should you know about related?
CEO / President (Manufacturing) pay Chief Operating Officer (COO) pay VP of Operations pay VP of Manufacturing pay Regional VP of Operations pay Senior Director of Operations pay ranked across all metros Open jobs Senior Director of Operations recruiting Check an offer for this role
What does this data mean for your opening?
Manufacturing Headhunters reviews the Senior Director of Operations role using Chief Executive SOC mapping. The national median pay is $213,990 as of May 2025, up from $206,420 in May 2024. National industrial benchmarks indicate substantial variance; Communications Equipment Manufacturing lists a median of $409,320, Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing at $369,510, and Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing at $360,290.
These high-value industries indicate the specialized technical nature of the work, though the broad SOC classification also encompasses non-manufacturing chief executive roles.
The national P25 to P75 middle-band width for this occupation is $226,660, stretching from $129,540 to $356,200. In the Los Angeles hub, the median reaches $234,290, while New York City reports a median of $301,440. These data points demonstrate the premium paid for leadership in high-concentration metro areas. It is important to note that BLS data captures base pay for a very broad category and excludes variable executive compensation such as stock options, deferred compensation, and complex performance incentives which are typical at this level of seniority.
Senior operations leadership in manufacturing requires deep authority over complex plant networks rather than simple process oversight. Successful candidates must prove they can make operating decisions that ripple through multiple plant leaders and shifts. This role focuses on the execution of long-term strategies. Because BLS methodology does not partition senior plant titles from general corporate executive titles, the provided figures should be viewed as broad markers for executive talent rather than narrow salary ranges for a specific manufacturing director role. Market conditions remain dynamic for proven operations leadership.
Which pay questions should you settle before hiring?
How does the annual median change between 2024 and 2025?
The median increased by $7,570, rising from $206,420 in May 2024 to $213,990 in May 2025. This reflects the steady adjustment within the broader executive occupational category.
What is the middle-band width for the Senior Director of Operations?
The national middle-band width for this occupation is $226,660. This is calculated using the difference between the 75th percentile of $356,200 and the 25th percentile of $129,540.
Are there limitations to using this BLS data for benchmarking executive pay?
Yes, the BLS classification for Chief Executives is extremely broad and includes non-manufacturing leaders. Furthermore, it ignores critical executive pay components like stock options and performance-based long-term incentives.
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