SQL operators are fundamental to data manipulation in SQL. They allow you to perform various operations on data, including arithmetic calculations, comparisons, and logical evaluations. These operators are used in the WHERE clause to filter records, in ORDER BY clauses to sort results, and in expressions to combine or modify data. Different types of operators exist, each serving a specific purpose. Arithmetic operators perform mathematical calculations, comparison operators evaluate conditions, and logical operators combine conditions. Mastering these operators is key to crafting complex and powerful SQL queries.