How much does a general manager make?
Answer: A typical general manager in the United States makes $105,770 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 3.5 million people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
General manager pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,090 | $105,770 | $253,390 | about 3.5 million |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $173,690 | about 53,000 |
| District of Columbia | $168,000 | about 36,000 |
| South Dakota | $137,400 | about 4,000 |
| Connecticut | $137,220 | about 39,000 |
| Delaware | $137,220 | about 5,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can differ with a manager’s experience and the industry they work in. It also varies by location, so similar jobs in different parts of the country may pay differently.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a general manager do?
Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.
What's a typical day like?
They review work data and budgets, meet department leads, and set staff schedules and assignments. Then they track progress, solve problems, and coordinate plans across teams.
How to get this job
In the U.S., many earn a bachelor’s degree in business or a related field, then gain years of relevant work experience. They often move up from team-lead or lower-level management jobs; some employers prefer a graduate degree.
Usually a bachelor's degree (preparation level 4 of 5)
Good for people who like leading and selling and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
Some general managers may step onto the sales floor to help customers, stock shelves, or count inventory—not just sit in an office.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Management jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/management/top-executives.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/11-1021.00
- www.onetonline.org/skills/zone/11-1021.00
- www.bls.gov/oes/earnings.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY