Mid-Level

Operations Assistant

Operations assistants support the day-to-day operations of a business — handling logistics, coordinating with vendors, processing orders, and supporting the operational team through whatever the day brings.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
C
E
S
R
I
A
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Enterprisingleading, persuading
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for Operations Assistants
Employment concentration · ~400 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like

What it's like to be a Operations Assistant

Each day mixes scheduled tasks — recurring reports, order processing, vendor follow-up — with reactive work when issues come up. The mix shifts based on the operation. Operations assistants often see issues before management does, because the patterns of small problems show up in the daily details.

Collaboration involves operations leadership, vendors, and internal teams. What's harder than expected is the cross-functional dimension — operations sits between many teams, and you're often the connective tissue between sales, fulfillment, finance, and customer service. Each team has its own priorities, and the assistant is often the one who notices when they conflict.

People who thrive tend to be organized, calm under pressure, and good at coordinating across teams. If you find satisfaction in keeping operations smooth, the role often fits well. People who want clear scope or who can't handle the constant cross-functional work usually find the role wears them down.

RelationshipsModerate
SupportModerate
AchievementModerate
Working ConditionsModerate
IndependenceLower
RecognitionLower
O*NET Work Values survey
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Operations Assistants (SOC 13-1041.08, 43-6014.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Also appears in: Admin & Office
Exploring the Operations Assistant career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
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✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$32K–$130K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
2.1M
U.S. Employment
+0.7%
10yr Growth
236K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$74K$71K$68K$65K$62K201920202021202220232024$62K$74K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

SpeakingActive ListeningActive ListeningReading ComprehensionReading ComprehensionSpeakingWritingComplex Problem SolvingCritical ThinkingWriting
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
13-1041.0843-6014.00

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.