What skills do I need for a Operations career?

Key skills for Operations roles include Linux, Networking, Systems Administration, Scripting, Monitoring. The specific skills needed vary by seniority level, with more specialized and architectural skills required at senior and staff levels.

What is the salary progression for Operations roles?

Operations salaries progress from $57,200 at the Intern level to $142,500 at the Principal level. The overall median is $142,300.

How do I advance from mid to senior in Operations?

Advancing from mid to senior in Operations typically requires deepening expertise in core skills like Linux, Networking, Systems Administration, taking ownership of larger projects, mentoring junior team members, and demonstrating technical leadership. Most professionals make this transition after 3-5 years of focused experience.

Operations Career Path

Career Ladder

Progression from Intern to Principal in operations

Intern

$57,200 median

IT EngineerFacility Technician

IT AdministrationHelpdeskNetworkingActive DirectoryMDMAutomationITILMaintenance

Junior

$79,040 median

Systems EngineerNetwork EngineerIT EngineerBusiness AnalystManufacturing EngineerData Center EngineerFacility TechnicianPharmacistData AnnotatorLogistics CoordinatorAutomotive Technician

LinuxNetworkingSystems AdministrationScriptingMonitoringSecurityTCP/IPRouting

Mid-Level

$115,250 median

Systems EngineerNetwork EngineerIT EngineerProgram ManagerOperations ManagerBusiness AnalystProcurement ManagerManufacturing EngineerSupply Chain ManagerConstruction ManagerData Center EngineerEHS SpecialistFacility TechnicianPharmacistMedical RepresentativeData AnnotatorLogistics CoordinatorAutomotive TechnicianVirtualization EngineerStorage Engineer

LinuxNetworkingSystems AdministrationScriptingMonitoringSecurityTCP/IPRouting

Senior

$158,850 median

Systems EngineerNetwork EngineerIT EngineerProgram ManagerOperations ManagerBusiness AnalystProcurement ManagerManufacturing EngineerSupply Chain ManagerConstruction ManagerData Center EngineerEHS SpecialistFacility TechnicianPharmacistMedical RepresentativeLogistics CoordinatorAutomotive TechnicianVirtualization EngineerStorage Engineer

Operations Career Path

Career Ladder

Salary Progression

Skills by Level

Roles in Operations

Other Career Paths