Transportation & Logistics Durham, NC Pop. 283,506

Operations Manager Salary in Durham, North Carolina

The median operations manager salary in Durham, NC is $98,468 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 3.3% above the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$98,468
vs State Avg
+$3,110
vs National
$-5,182
Cost of Living
95%

Operations Manager Pay in Durham: What to Expect (2026)

Durham offers a median operations manager salary of $98,468, which is $3,110 above the North Carolina state average of $95,358. Compared to the national median of $103,650, Durham pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Durham's cost of living is 95% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for operations managers in Durham spans from $55,100 at the 10th percentile to $175,750 at the 90th percentile — a $120,650 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $58,900, while senior operations managers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $166,250. With a population of 283,506, Durham is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Operations Manager Salary in Durham by Experience

In Durham, an entry-level operations manager earns around $58,900, while experienced professionals earn up to $166,250 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$58,900
$-3,100 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$100,700
$-5,300 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$166,250
$-8,750 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Durham, NC

Percentile Durham
10th Percentile $55,100
25th Percentile $72,200
Median (50th) $98,468
75th Percentile $133,000
90th Percentile $175,750

Operations Manager Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Charlotte, NC
$101,577
Pop. 874,579
Raleigh, NC
$101,577
Pop. 467,665
Greensboro, NC
$91,212
Pop. 299,035
Winston-Salem, NC
$89,139
Pop. 249,545

How to Become a Operations Manager in Durham

Education

Most operations manager positions require a bachelor's degree. Durham and the surrounding North Carolina area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Operations ManagementProcess ImprovementBudgetingLeadershipSix SigmaData Analysis

Job Outlook

Nationally, operations manager employment is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Durham may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Operations Manager Jobs in Durham

Browse open operations manager positions in Durham, NC:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Operations Manager Salary in Durham

How much does a Operations Manager make in Durham, NC? ▼
The median operations manager salary in Durham, North Carolina is $98,468 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $103,650. Salaries range from $55,100 (10th percentile) to $175,750 (90th percentile).
How much does a Operations Manager make per hour in Durham? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $98,468, a operations manager in Durham earns approximately $47 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Durham compare to the North Carolina state average for operations manager pay? ▼
Durham's median operations manager salary of $98,468 is 3.3% above the North Carolina state average of $95,358. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Durham, NC? ▼
Durham has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a operations manager salary of $98,468 in Durham has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a operations manager in Durham? ▼
Most operations manager positions in Durham require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Operations Management, Process Improvement, Budgeting, Leadership. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.