What Does a General Manager Do?
A General Manager is responsible for the overall performance of a business unit or location, overseeing operations, finances, and personnel. They set strategic direction and ensure that all departments work together to achieve company objectives. This leadership role demands a broad skill set and the ability to make high-stakes decisions.
Other Job Titles for This Work
Workers in this occupation report titles such as Business Manager, Center Manager, Department Manager, District Manager, General Manager (GM), Operations Director, Operations General Manager (Operations GM), Operations Manager.
General Manager Duties and Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of a general manager include:
- Set strategic goals for the business unit and develop plans to achieve revenue and profitability targets.
- Oversee all functional areas including sales, operations, finance, and human resources.
- Monitor financial performance and implement corrective actions when results fall short of targets.
- Build and maintain relationships with key customers, partners, and community stakeholders.
- Recruit, mentor, and develop department leaders and management staff.
- Ensure the organization complies with all legal, regulatory, and safety requirements.
- Prepare and present performance reports to executive leadership or ownership groups.
- Approve budgets and major expenditures in alignment with organizational priorities.
- Drive a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and customer focus.
- Represent the organization at industry events, public meetings, and business functions.
Required Skills and Qualifications
To succeed as a general manager, you will need the following skills and qualifications:
- Profit and loss management
- Cross-functional leadership
- Strategic business planning
- Financial reporting and analysis
- Customer relationship management
- Talent development and succession planning
- Negotiation and deal making
- Regulatory compliance awareness
Education and Training
General Manager positions usually require a bachelor's degree in business administration, management, or a closely related discipline. A master's degree in business administration is frequently preferred, especially for larger organizations or multi-site operations. Years of progressive management experience often carry as much weight as formal education. Industry-specific knowledge gained through professional development programs and certifications can also be highly valuable.
Salary and Job Outlook
Typical pay: $72,320 - $167,280 per year, with a median of $105,770.
The range covers the middle half of earners nationwide. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, General and Operations Managers.
General Managers play a vital role across industries ranging from hospitality and retail to manufacturing and professional services. While automation affects many operational tasks, the need for experienced leaders who can steer entire business units remains strong. Companies that expand into new markets or open additional locations consistently seek qualified General Managers. Professionals who combine financial acumen with people leadership skills will find ample opportunities in the years ahead.
General Manager Pay Range
| Earners | Annual pay |
|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $50,090 |
| Bottom 25% earn less than | $72,320 |
| Median (half earn more, half less) | $105,770 |
| Top 25% earn more than | $167,280 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $253,390 |
Highest-Paying States for General Managers
The states with the highest median pay for this occupation are New Jersey ($173,690), District of Columbia ($168,000), South Dakota ($137,400), Delaware ($137,220), Connecticut ($137,220). Pay is lowest in Kentucky ($79,370), Missouri ($79,300), Arkansas ($74,050).
Median pay in all 51 states with BLS data
| State | Median annual pay |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $111,790 |
| Alaska | $116,630 |
| Arizona | $94,800 |
| Arkansas | $74,050 |
| California | $124,390 |
| Colorado | $131,840 |
| Connecticut | $137,220 |
| Delaware | $137,220 |
| District of Columbia | $168,000 |
| Florida | $101,580 |
| Georgia | $103,730 |
| Hawaii | $108,180 |
| Idaho | $80,390 |
| Illinois | $103,570 |
| Indiana | $108,170 |
| Iowa | $87,690 |
| Kansas | $92,840 |
| Kentucky | $79,370 |
| Louisiana | $101,790 |
| Maine | $98,860 |
| Maryland | $117,930 |
| Massachusetts | $127,220 |
| Michigan | $99,530 |
| Minnesota | $99,340 |
| Mississippi | $106,680 |
| Missouri | $79,300 |
| Montana | $91,380 |
| Nebraska | $85,090 |
| Nevada | $99,390 |
| New Hampshire | $124,680 |
| New Jersey | $173,690 |
| New Mexico | $98,630 |
| New York | $130,860 |
| North Carolina | $101,950 |
| North Dakota | $98,170 |
| Ohio | $97,700 |
| Oklahoma | $90,430 |
| Oregon | $103,490 |
| Pennsylvania | $103,130 |
| Rhode Island | $117,380 |
| South Carolina | $106,080 |
| South Dakota | $137,400 |
| Tennessee | $106,970 |
| Texas | $103,230 |
| Utah | $97,850 |
| Vermont | $98,640 |
| Virginia | $122,080 |
| Washington | $133,750 |
| West Virginia | $82,500 |
| Wisconsin | $118,730 |
| Wyoming | $99,700 |
What the Work Is Like
O*NET surveys people who work as general and operations managers about their daily conditions. Of those surveyed:
- 93% say teamwork is very or extremely important in their job
- 88% are on the phone every day
- 88% use email every day
- 86% have a lot of freedom to make decisions
- 85% say being exact and accurate is very or extremely important
- 80% work indoors in a climate-controlled space every day
- 70% usually work more than 40 hours a week
Education Workers Say the Job Needs
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or GED | 29% |
| Bachelor's degree | 27% |
| Some college | 22% |
| Less than high school | 10% |
Tools and Software General Managers Use
Tools and equipment
Software
Is This Job a Good Fit for You?
People who do well in this job tend to enjoy leading, persuading and making business decisions as well as organized work with data, records and clear procedures.
Skills O*NET rates most important: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Monitoring, Critical Thinking, Coordination.
Knowledge areas used most: Administration and Management, Customer and Personal Service, English Language, Production and Processing, Mathematics.
Preparation: O*NET places this occupation in Job Zone 4 of 5, which means considerable preparation.
Related Careers
These jobs use similar skills, according to O*NET's related-occupation data:
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Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- O*NET 30.1 Database, occupation 11-1021.00 (General and Operations Managers). View on O*NET OnLine.
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. The Job Explorer has modified some of the information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these changes.