Data current as of August 2026 · sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET
Average base salary
$186,000 / year
≈ $15,500 per month · $89.42 per hour
Low $123,000Average $186,000High $242,500
Figures reflect WePayFairly survey data aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. Range estimated at −20% / +25% around the aged average. State figures use estimated geographic differentials. Actual pay varies with experience, location, industry, and organization size.
Total cash compensation
Base salary plus target annual bonus. Target bonus opportunity scales with role level, so a higher base carries a higher target percentage.
Long-term incentive is not shown for this role. Equity awards are only disclosed publicly for the named executive officers of public companies, so no market figure exists for most jobs. See executive pay disclosures.
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About this role
Associate Operations Department is an early-career role building foundational skills with structured guidance, focused on Operations in the Operations job family. The title carries Department-level responsibility, indicating a department scope within a single function.
The Operations function covers the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of the processes that deliver an organization's products and services.
Typical experience: 0 to 3 years at the Analyst / Associate level, per widely used corporate career-level norms (Radford, Mercer, and SHRM career-level frameworks). Actual expectations vary by function, industry, and company size.
Support senior team members with day-to-day operational work
Gather and analyze data using established methods and tools
Prepare reports, presentations, and documentation for internal review
Execute routine tasks accurately and on schedule
Escalate issues and questions to more experienced staff
Contribute to team deliverables under direct supervision
Improve operational processes for efficiency and quality
Manage cost, capacity, and workflow
Drive continuous improvement initiatives
FLSA classification (typical)
Varies (typically Exempt if salaried) · Depends on duties and pay basis
Entry-level roles paid on a salary basis above the threshold typically qualify for the Professional or Administrative exemption. Roles paid hourly are Non-exempt regardless of duties. Actual classification depends on the specific job duties, salary basis, and any applicable state or local rules. The current federal salary threshold for exemption is $684 per week ($35,568 per year), per the 2020 Department of Labor rule; the 2024 rule that would have raised the threshold was struck down by federal court in November 2024.
Career ladder and pay outlook
Median base pay at each level of the Operations Department ladder. Titles vary by company; levels compare role scope.
Projection assumes market wages keep rising about 3.5% a year, consistent with recent wage growth measured by the BLS Employment Cost Index. It reflects market movement for the title, not individual raises or promotions, which vary.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a Associate Operations Department make?
The median market pay for a Associate Operations Department in the United States is about $186,000 per year in 2026, based on WePayFairly's market model.
What is the salary range for a Associate Operations Department?
A typical market range for a Associate Operations Department runs from about $158,000 to $214,000, with pay varying by company size, industry, and location.
How this role compares
Associate Operations Department pays 72% above the average across 1,760 roles in the Operations job family (family average $108,000).
Need Associate Operations Department pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
