VP Operations

💰 $163K–$231K salary range

Median: $199K  ·  Based on 591 public job postings  ·  Updated August 30, 2026

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This executive leads the operational backbone for high-growth companies, optimizing the end-to-end lifecycle of AI products from data ingestion and model training to deployment and continuous improvement, ensuring scalable and ethical AI delivery. The complexities of managing compute resources, data pipelines, and model lifecycles make this a highly strategic position. Professionals in this crucial role command salaries ranging from $181K–$253K, with a median of $201K, derived from 88 job postings. Top compensation is often awarded to candidates demonstrating deep expertise in MLOps frameworks, advanced cloud architecture (AWS/GCP/Azure), and robust data governance strategies. These technical proficiencies are vital for navigating the unique infrastructure and ethical demands of cutting-edge AI development, directly impacting product velocity and operational efficiency.

📊 Salary breakdown

VP Operations salary by location

• All locations: $199K median ($163K–$231K typical range)
• New York: $196K median, $170K–$220K range (-1% vs. national)
• San Francisco: $235K median, $200K–$280K range (+18% vs. national)
• Chicago: $166K median, $147K–$178K range (-16% vs. national)
• Los Angeles: $178K median, $148K–$203K range (-11% vs. national)
• Boston: $218K median, $183K–$249K range (+9% vs. national)
• Denver: $180K median, $150K–$198K range (-10% vs. national)
• Austin: $245K median, $225K–$258K range (+23% vs. national)
• Seattle: $204K median, $199K–$217K range (+2% vs. national)

Highest paying companies

San Francisco

• Turn/River Capital: $318K median
• Figma: $303K median
• Maze Therapeutics: $258K median
• Airwallex: $235K median
• Structure Therapeutics: $235K median
• Curo Pet Care: $195K median

New York

• LB Pharmaceuticals: $223K median
• Veeva: $213K median
• Iterative Health: $188K median
• DAZN: $178K median

Based on companies with 3+ active postings. Median of publicly advertised salary range.

What's typically included

• Health insurance: 79% of postings
• Equity (RSU/options): 61% of postings
• Flexible PTO: 52% of postings
• Parental leave: 25% of postings
• Learning/education budget: 13% of postings
• Visa sponsorship: 3% of postings

Typical experience required: 8–11 years.

Operations salaries by seniority

• Business Operations Analyst: $98K
• Business Operations Manager: $116K
• Revenue Operations Manager: $125K
• Senior BizOps Manager: $148K
• Operations Lead: $164K
• Head of Strategy & Operations: $181K
• VP Operations: $199K

What does a VP Operations do?

VP Operationss are operators who keep the company running and scaling. This benchmark reflects Director-level base compensation at high-growth and AI-native companies.

Government wage data

For corroboration, U.S. Department of Labor certified wage filings (FY2026) show a median of $210K for VP Operations roles, ranging $180K–$251K, across 153 filings. This is reported separately from — never blended with — the job-posting median above.

Common questions

What is the average VP Operations salary at an AI startup?
The median pay is $199K, with a typical range of $163K–$231K, based on 591 public job postings collected in 2025–2026.

What is the VP Operations salary in New York?
New York VP Operationss at AI-native startups earn a median of $196K, with a typical range of $170K–$220K (25th–75th percentile). That's 1% below the $199K US national median. 16% below San Francisco's $235K. Based on 86 qualifying postings, 2025–2026.

What is the VP Operations salary in San Francisco?
San Francisco VP Operationss at AI-native startups earn a median of $235K, with a typical range of $200K–$280K (25th–75th percentile). That's 18% above the $199K US national median. Based on 85 qualifying postings, 2025–2026.

Where does this salary data come from?
It is aggregated from public job postings on company career pages — no private placement or client data. We require a minimum of 15 postings per role.

Methodology

Figures are the midpoint of each posting's advertised USD salary range, aggregated from 591 public job postings (2025–2026). The range shown is the 25th–75th percentile; the median is the 50th percentile. Equity is separate and not included; where a posting's range reflects on-target earnings (OTE) for commission roles, that is included in the midpoint. Roles require at least 15 postings to be published. Last refreshed August 30, 2026.

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