How Much Should You Pay a VP of Operations? A 2025 Compensation Breakdown

Why This Role Matters More Than Ever

For founders of Series A to C startups, hiring a VP of Operations can be one of the most important decisions you make. This leader keeps the engine of your company running—overseeing supply chain, production, people, and processes so you can scale with confidence.

But here’s the problem: a bad operations hire can cost millions in wasted spend, missed deadlines, and team turnover. On the flip side, the right VP of Operations can unlock growth, efficiency, and long-term stability. That’s why getting compensation right matters so much in 2025.

The True Cost of Hiring the Wrong Way

Many founders turn to contingency recruiters when they need to fill this critical role. The model looks “low risk” at first—you only pay if someone is hired. But that structure encourages speed over quality. Contingency recruiters often recycle the same candidate pools and push resumes rather than running a tailored search.

At the other extreme, large retained firms have reach and credibility, but their model often doesn’t fit early-stage companies. They can be slow, expensive, and overly focused on their Fortune 500 clients. For a fast-moving startup, that can mean wasted time and ballooning costs.

Neither model gives you what you really need: a committed partner who knows how to headhunt the right operations leader for your stage and culture.

What to Pay a VP of Operations in 2025

While compensation can vary depending on industry, funding stage, and location, here are general benchmarks for VP of Operations salaries in 2025:

• Base Salary: $175,000 – $250,000

• Bonus / Incentive Pay: 15% – 30% of base

• Equity Grants: Typically 0.25% – 1% for startups at Series A–C

Early-stage companies often lean on equity to attract senior talent, while later-stage startups can offer more competitive cash compensation. The key is finding the balance that aligns with your growth plan, burn rate, and long-term hiring strategy.

The Smarter Approach: Retained Search for Lasting Results

Finding a VP of Operations isn’t about collecting resumes—it’s about identifying leaders who can solve your specific scaling challenges. That’s where retained search shines. A retained partner runs a focused, committed process, aligned with your goals and culture. They go beyond active job seekers and headhunt leaders who aren’t looking but who could transform your business.

This approach reduces the risk of mis-hires and builds long-term stability for your leadership team.

The High Altitude Advantage

At High Altitude Recruiting, we’ve made retained search simple and predictable. Instead of charging a percentage of first-year salary, we offer a flat $10k per search.

No hidden fees. No surprises. Just a fixed investment in finding the right leader for your company.

With over 75 C-Suite placements, 150 VP and Director hires, and a 99% one-year retention rate, we’ve helped startups like yours secure the talent they need to grow with confidence.

High Altitude Recruiting

Final Word

Hiring a VP of Operations is too important to leave to chance—or to an outdated recruiting model. Compensation in 2025 is competitive, but with the right search partner, you can land the leader who keeps your company moving forward.

👉 Learn more about the $10k Advantage and how our flat-fee retained search helps you build the right leadership team without unpredictable costs.