As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Pipeline Operations Manager in the United States is $142,081 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $68.
However, a Pipeline Operations Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered HR
AI Onboarding
A Pipeline Operations Manager's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Pipeline Operations Manager's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Pipeline Operations Manager | $138,745 |
| Intermediate Level Pipeline Operations Manager | $139,145 |
| Senior Level Pipeline Operations Manager | $139,812 |
| Specialist Level Pipeline Operations Manager | $140,747 |
| Expert Level Pipeline Operations Manager | $144,123 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Pipeline Operations Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Scheduling | 8.68% |
| Lubricants | 4.96% |
| Mechanical Aptitude | 2.07% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Agility
|
$184,705 |
30%
|
|
Consulting
|
$153,447 |
8%
|
|
Team Management
|
$153,447 |
8%
|
|
Verbal Communication
|
$152,027 |
7%
|
|
Attention to Detail
|
$152,027 |
7%
|
|
Time Management
|
$149,185 |
5%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Pipeline Operations Managers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Pipeline Operations Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $137,560 and $147,158).
Pipeline Operations Manager Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 22.2% |
| High School | 22.2% |
| Associates | 11.1% |
| Bachelors | 55.6% |
| Masters | 11.1% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how a Pipeline Operations Manager's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on April 01, 2026For a Pipeline Operations Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Pipelines Director role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $222,487 - a projected growth of 57% over your current level.
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Pipeline Operations Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Pipeline Operations Manager job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
A Pipeline Operations Manager's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Pipeline Operations Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Pipeline Operations Manager is $179,207.
The highest pay for Pipeline Operations Manager is $157,458.
The lowest pay for Pipeline Operations Manager is $125,000.
Manages overall operations of crude oil and/or natural gas pipelines. Ensures safe and efficient operations of the pipeline system. Serves as a company representative on regulatory and environmental issues. Looks for opportunities to expand the pipeline system. Requires a bachelor's degree in area of specialty. Typically reports to top management. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
