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Associate Director IT Operations Salary in the United States

How much does an Associate Director IT Operations make in the United States? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Associate Director IT Operations in the United States is $211,960 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $102.

However, an Associate Director IT Operations's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $241,129
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $195,536 to $227,228
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $180,583
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Associate Director IT Operations Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Associate Director IT Operations Salaries

An Associate Director IT Operations'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.

How Experience Level Affects Associate Director IT Operations Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Associate Director IT Operations'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $138,337
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $168,832
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $208,779
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $256,598
  • Expert (over 8 years): $324,185
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Information Technology Manager less than 1 year $138,337
Information Technology Senior Manager 1-2 years $168,832
Associate Director IT Operations 2-4 years $208,779
VP of Information Technology 5-8 years $256,598
SVP of Information Technology over 8 years $324,185

How Do Associate Director IT Operations Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Associate Director IT Operations. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $234,682.
  • California: $233,792.
  • Massachusetts: $230,676.

Top Paying Cities for Associate Director IT Operations

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $267,345
  • San Francisco: $264,418
  • Oakland: $258,846

Associate Director IT Operations Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Associate Director IT Operations roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Associate Director IT Operations positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Associate Director IT Operations as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Associate Director IT Operations

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense $233,156 $112.0 10%
Biotechnology $233,156 $112.0 10%
Energy & Utilities $233,156 $112.0 10%
Financial Services $233,156 $112.0 10%
Healthcare $233,156 $112.0 10%

How Education impacts an Associate Director IT Operations's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Associate Director IT Operations professionals enter the field with a Bachelor's degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Associate Director IT Operations with a Bachelor's is between $191,197 and $203,041.

Associate Director IT Operations Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Associate Director IT Operations
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 1%
High School 9.5%
Associate's Degree 8%
Bachelor's Degree 46.6%
Master's Degree or MBA 33.4%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 1.5%
View as Graph

Associate Director IT Operations Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Associate Director IT Operations'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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$195,536
Average $211,960/year
$227,228
$16,295
Average $17,663/month
$18,936
$3,760
Average $4,076/week
$4,370
$94
Average $102/hour
$109
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $227,228 $18,936 $4,370 $109
Average $211,960 $17,663 $4,076 $102
25th Percentile $195,536 $16,295 $3,760 $94

Most common benefits for Associate Director IT Operations

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Associate Director IT Operations

Here are companies hiring for Associate Director IT Operations and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Associate Director IT Operations Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Associate Director IT Operations job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Associate Director IT Operations

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Associate Director IT Operations?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Associate Director IT Operations roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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.)

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