--- title: "Construction VP of Operations Salary Los Angeles, CA 2026" description: "VP of Operations salary in Los Angeles: $240K–$360K base (2026). Real placement data from Amundson Group construction recruiting. Learn what drives compensation" url: https://amundsongroup.com/construction-vp-of-operations-salary-los-angeles/ published: 2026-06-05 modified: 2026-10-25 publisher: Amundson Group markdown_of: https://amundsongroup.com/construction-vp-of-operations-salary-los-angeles/ --- # Construction VP of Operations Salary Los Angeles, CA 2026 A VP of Operations in Los Angeles’s construction sector earns a typical base salary of **$240K to $360K** in 2026, reflecting strong demand for senior operations leadership across heavy civil, site development, paving, data center, rail, tunnel, wastewater and underground utility work. Total compensation, including bonuses and per-diem, frequently reaches **10-30% above base**, putting top earners well into the mid-to-high $400Ks. **Hiring for heavy civil, site development, paving, data center, rail, or wastewater work?** Amundson Group is a construction-only recruiter. First qualified resumes in 7 hours. [Send us the role](https://amundsongroup.com/hire-talent/) or call [(832) 558-7982](tel:+18325587982). ## VP of Operations salary range in Los Angeles: $240K to $360K base The $240K to $360K range represents the current Los Angeles market for VP-level operations leadership at general contractors, construction management firms, and specialty trades companies. This spread exists because the role’s complexity, and pay, scales dramatically with project portfolio size, team headcount, and sector focus. A VP running operations for a $50M to $100M commercial GC will typically land in the $240K to $290K range. Candidates overseeing $200M+ in annual revenue, multi-region projects, or high-risk verticals (heavy highway, energy) command $300K to $360K or higher. Years in role, track record managing budgets, safety performance, and labor relations all compress into that $120K spread. Bonus structures, often tied to project margin, safety metrics, or annual EBITDA, add 10-20% on top of base. Truck allowances and per-diem packages (common for ops leaders who travel between job sites) can push total comp another 5-15% higher. In practice, a $300K base often becomes $345K to $390K all-in. ## What drives VP of Operations pay in Los Angeles’s construction market Los Angeles’s construction economy is shaped by ongoing multifamily development, infrastructure modernization, and industrial expansion, all of which demand seasoned operations leadership. The region’s scale (metro area exceeding $3 trillion in economic output) means mid-to-large contractors compete for talent across dozens of active projects simultaneously. Labor costs in Southern California remain elevated; prevailing wage requirements on public work, union density, and skilled trades shortages push operational complexity, and therefore VP salaries, higher than national averages. Firms managing union crews, prevailing wage compliance, and tight margins on municipal projects justify premium pay for experienced operations directors. Recent growth in infill development, transit-adjacent multifamily, and cold-chain industrial space has expanded the addressable market for VP-level roles. Real estate and infrastructure investment flows into LA remain robust, sustaining strong demand for operations talent through 2026. ## VP of Operations compensation by experience level Experience, certifications, and track record are the primary determinants of salary within the range. Here’s how Los Angeles placements typically break down: - **3-5 years as VP of Operations or equivalent:** $204K to $252K base. Usually early in the VP role, often promoted from Senior Operations Manager or Project Controls roles. Likely managing teams of 10-20 people and $50M to $100M in project volume. - **5-10 years at VP level:** $240K to $300K base. Demonstrates consistent execution, strong safety records, and ability to scale operations across multiple concurrent projects. Often brought in to restructure or professionalize operations at growing firms. - **10-15 years as VP or Chief Operations Officer:** $300K to $360K base. Deep expertise in sector-specific operations (e.g., multifamily, industrial, or civil infrastructure). Typically driving strategy, P&L accountability, and enterprise-wide process improvements. - **15+ years (VP/COO with regional or national scope):** $360K to $432K+ base. Leading operations for multi-region, multi-discipline firms or handling enterprise-wide P&L. Often one level below C-suite. ## Benefits + total comp beyond base Standard benefits packages for VP-level construction roles in Los Angeles include: - **401(k) match:** Typically 3-6% of base salary (immediate or after vesting). - **Health, dental, vision:** Employer-sponsored plans; VP tier often includes higher out-of-pocket limits or richer coverage. - **Truck allowance / per-diem:** $800 to $2,000/month for site-based travel and vehicle use. - **Annual bonus:** 10-20% of base, often tied to gross margin, safety (TRIR), schedule performance, or company EBITDA. - **PTO:** Typically 15-20 days plus holidays. - **Professional development:** Continuing education, certifications (PMP, CCM, DBIA), conference attendance. Total compensation for a $300K base VP can range from $345K (modest bonus, standard benefits) to $420K+ (strong bonus year, per-diem, and benefits). ## What Los Angeles construction companies pay top performers The high end of the Los Angeles VP of Operations market extends well beyond $360K. Top-tier performers, those with 15+ years of operations leadership, track records scaling $500M+ programs, expertise in complex regulatory environments (prevailing wage, union operations, environmental), or P&L ownership, frequently command $380K to $450K+ in base salary alone. Amundson Group’s placement data shows that firms competing for the highest-caliber operations talent often sweeten packages with equity stakes, significant performance bonuses (25%+ of base in strong years), relocation assistance, and executive perks. The tightest competition for VP-level operations leaders occurs in the multifamily and industrial sectors, where the velocity of development cycles and margin pressure create urgency to retain experienced operators. ## See Amundson Group’s full VP of Operations Salary Guide This data reflects Amundson Group’s Salary Guide, drawn straight from our recruiting desks across a network of 90,000+ construction professionals spanning heavy civil, site development, data center, rail, tunnels, and wastewater, and cross-checked against authoritative sources including BLS, AGC, and ENR. Construction labor markets shift quarterly; bonuses, regional factors, and employer size all affect individual offers. Ready to hire or explore VP of Operations roles in Los Angeles? [Browse open positions or discuss your search with our team](https://amundsongroup.com/hire-talent/). *Related searches: [Construction Assistant Project Manager Salary Los Angeles, CA 2026](https://amundsongroup.com/construction-assistant-project-manager-salary-los-angeles/) · [Construction Director of Preconstruction Salary Los Angeles 2026](https://amundsongroup.com/construction-director-of-preconstruction-salary-los-angeles/)* **Need this hire made? Send us the role.** Amundson Group is a construction-only recruiter based in Houston, placing across the United States: heavy civil, site development, paving, data centers, rail, tunnels, wastewater, and underground utilities. 1,200+ construction placements to date, a 90,000+ professional network, first qualified resumes in 7 hours. Inc. 5000 in 2024 and 2025. Prefer to talk? Call [(832) 558-7982](tel:+18325587982) or use the full form at [amundsongroup.com/hire-talent](https://amundsongroup.com/hire-talent/). Looking for your next role? [See open construction jobs](https://amundsongroup.com/jobs/). --- About Amundson Group: a Houston-headquartered construction recruiting firm placing superintendents, project managers, estimators, foremen and skilled trades with contractors across the United States in heavy civil, site development, paving, data center, rail, tunnels, wastewater and underground utilities. 1,200+ construction placements to date, a network of 90,000+ construction professionals, 250+ companies served, the first qualified resume in about 7 hours and a shortlist in 7 days. Veteran owned, founded in January 2020 by Alex Mowbray, Inc. 5000 honoree in 2024 and 2025, SIA Best Staffing Firms to Work For 2023 and 2024, rated 4.9 on Google. 1336 Brittmoore Rd, Houston, TX 77043. (832) 558-7982. https://amundsongroup.com This page in HTML: https://amundsongroup.com/construction-vp-of-operations-salary-los-angeles/. 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