General Manager Average Salary in United States 2023
How much money does a General Manager make in United States?
LOW
78,900
USD AVERAGE
161,000
USD HIGH
251,000
USD
A person working as a General Manager in United States typically earns around 161,000 USD per year. Salaries range from 78,900 USD (lowest) to 251,000 USD (highest).
This is the average yearly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. General Manager salaries vary drastically based on experience, skills, gender, or location. Below you will find a detailed breakdown based on many different criteria.
General Manager Salary Distribution in United States
The median, the maximum, the minimum, and the range
Salary Range
General Manager salaries in United States range from 78,900 USD per year (minimum salary) to 251,000 USD per year (maximum salary).
Median Salary
The median salary is 164,000 USD per year, which means that half (50%) of people working as General Manager(s) are earning less than 164,000 USD while the other half are earning more than 164,000 USD. The median represents the middle salary value. Generally speaking, you would want to be on the right side of the graph with the group earning more than the median salary.
Percentiles
Closely related to the median are two values: the 25th and the 75th percentiles. Reading from the salary distribution diagram, 25% of General Manager(s) are earning less than 109,000 USD while 75% of them are earning more than 109,000 USD. Also from the diagram, 75% of General Manager(s) are earning less than 212,000 USD while 25% are earning more than 212,000 USD.
What is the difference between the median and the average salary?
Both are indicators. If your salary is higher than both of the average and the median then you are doing very well. If your salary is lower than both, then many people are earning more than you and there is plenty of room for improvement. If your wage is between the average and the median, then things can be a bit complicated. We wrote a guide to explain all about the different scenarios. How to compare your salary
General Manager Salary Comparison by Years of Experience
How does experience and age affect your pay?
The experience level is the most important factor in determining the salary. Naturally the more years of experience the higher your wage. We broke down General Manager salaries by experience level and this is what we found.
A General Manager with less than two years of experience makes approximately 93,600 USD per year.
While someone with an experience level between two and five years is expected to earn 120,000 USD per year, 29% more than someone with less than two year's experience.
Moving forward, an experience level between five and ten years lands a salary of 166,000 USD per year, 38% more than someone with two to five years of experience.
Additionally, General Manager(s) whose expertise span anywhere between ten and fifteen years get a salary equivalent to 206,000 USD per year, 24% more than someone with five to ten years of experience.
If the experience level is between fifteen and twenty years, then the expected wage is 220,000 USD per year, 7% more than someone with ten to fifteen years of experience.
Lastly, employees with more than twenty years of professional experience get a salary of 235,000 USD per year, 7% more than people with fifteen to twenty years of experience.
General Manager average salary change by experience in United States
| 0 - 2 Years | 93,600 USD | |
| 2 - 5 Years | +29% | 120,000 USD |
| 5 - 10 Years | +38% | 166,000 USD |
| 10 - 15 Years | +24% | 206,000 USD |
| 15 - 20 Years | +7% | 220,000 USD |
| 20+ Years | +7% | 235,000 USD |
Typical Salary Progress for Most Careers
General Manager Salary Comparison By Education
How do education levels affect salaries?
Displayed below is the average salary difference between different General Manager(s) who have the same experience but different education levels.
We all know that higher education equals a bigger salary, but how much more money can a degree add to your income? We broke down General Manager salaries by education level in order to make a comparison.
When the education level is High School, the average salary of a General Manager is 117,000 USD per year.
While someone with a Certificate or Diploma gets a salary of 134,000 USD per year, 15% more than someone having a High School degree.
A Bachelor's Degree gets its holder an average salary of 181,000 USD per year, 35% more than someone with a Certificate or Diploma.
Professionals who hold a Master's Degree are rewarded with an average salary of 227,000 USD per year, 26% more than someone with Bachelor's Degree.
General Manager average salary difference by education level in United States
| High School | 117,000 USD | |
| Certificate or Diploma | +15% | 134,000 USD |
| Bachelor's Degree | +35% | 181,000 USD |
| Master's Degree | +26% | 227,000 USD |
Is a Master's degree or an MBA worth it? Should you pursue higher education?
A Master's degree program or any post-graduate program in United States costs anywhere from 39,500 US Dollar(s) to 118,000 US Dollar(s) and lasts approximately two years. That is quite an investment.
You can't really expect any salary increases during the study period, assuming you already have a job. In most cases, a salary review is conducted once education is completed and the degree has been attained.
Many people pursue higher education as a tactic to switch into a higher paying job. The numbers seem to support the thoery. The average increase in compensation while changing jobs is approximately 10% more than the customary salary increment.
If you can afford the costs of higher education, the return on investment is definitely worth it. You should be able to recover the costs in roughly a year or so.
Typical Salary Difference by Education for Most Careers
General Manager Salary Comparison By Gender
Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? Male General Manager employees in United States earn 5% more than their female counterparts on average.
| Male | 165,000 USD | |
| Female | -5% | 157,000 USD |
Salary Comparison By Gender in United States for all Careers
General Manager Average Annual Salary Increment Percentage in United States
How much are annual salary increments in United States for General Manager(s)? How often do employees get salary raises?
General Manager
General Manager(s) in United States are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 13% every 15 months. The national average annual increment for all professions combined is 8% granted to employees every 16 months.
United States / All Professions
The term 'Annual Salary Increase' usually refers to the increase in 12 calendar month period, but because it is rarely that people get their salaries reviewed exactly on the one year mark, it is more meaningful to know the frequency and the rate at the time of the increase.
How to calculate the salary increment percentage?
The annual salary Increase in a calendar year (12 months) can be easily calculated as follows: Annual Salary Increase = Increase Rate x 12 ÷ Increase Frequency
Annual Increment Rate By Industry 2022
| Banking | 4% | |
| Energy | 8% | |
| Information Technology | 3% | |
| Healthcare | 7% | |
| Travel | 2% | |
| Construction | 6% | |
| Education | 1% |
Listed above are the average annual increase rates for each industry in United States for the year 2022. Companies within thriving industries tend to provide higher and more frequent raises. Exceptions do exist, but generally speaking, the situation of any company is closely related to the economic situation in the country or region. These figures tend to change frequently.
Worldwide Salary Raises: All Countries and All Jobs
General Manager Bonus and Incentive Rates in United States
How much and how often are bonuses being awarded?
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A General Manager is considered to be a high bonus-based job due to the generally limited involvement in direct revenue generation, with exceptions of course. The people who get the highest bonuses are usually somehow involved in the revenue generation cycle.
16% of surveyed staff reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 84% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.
Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 5% to 9% of their annual salary.
| Received Bonus | 84% | |
| No Bonus | 16% |
Types of Bonuses Considered
Individual Performance-Based BonusesThe most standard form of bonus where the employee is awarded based on their exceptional performance.
Company Performance BonusesOccasionally, some companies like to celebrate excess earnings and profits with their staff collectively in the form of bonuses that are granted to everyone. The amount of the bonus will probably be different from person to person depending on their role within the organization.
Goal-Based BonusesGranted upon achieving an important goal or milestone.
Holiday / End of Year BonusesThese types of bonuses are given without a reason and usually resemble an appreciation token.
Bonuses Are Not Commissions!
People tend to confuse bonuses with commissions. A commission is a prefixed rate at which someone gets paid for items sold or deals completed while a bonus is in most cases arbitrary and unplanned.
What makes a position worthy of good bonuses and a high salary?
The main two types of jobs | |
| Revenue Generators | Supporting Cast |
Employees that are directly involved in generating revenue or profit for the organization. Their field of expertise usually matches the type of business. | Employees that support and facilitate the work of revenue generators. Their expertise is usually different from that of the core business operations. |
Example: | Example: |
Revenue generators usually get more and higher bonuses, higher salaries, and more frequent salary increments. The reason is quite simple: it is easier to quantify your value to the company in monetary terms when you participate in revenue generation.
Bonus Comparison by Seniority Level
Top management personnel and senior employees naturally exhibit higher bonus rates and frequencies than juniors. This is very predictable due to the inherent responsibilities of being higher in the hierarchy. People in top positions can easily get double or triple bonus rates than employees down the pyramid.
General Manager Average Hourly Wage in United States
77 USD per hourThe average hourly wage (pay per hour) in United States is 77 USD. This means that the average General Manager in United States earns approximately 77 USD for every worked hour.
The hourly wage is the salary paid in one worked hour. Usually jobs are classified into two categories: salaried jobs and hourly jobs. Salaried jobs pay a fix amount regardless of the hours worked. Hourly jobs pay per worked hour. To convert salary into hourly wage the above formula is used (assuming 5 working days in a week and 8 working hours per day which is the standard for most jobs). The hourly wage calculation may differ slightly depending on the worked hours per week and the annual vacation allowance. The figures mentioned above are good approximations and are considered to be the standard. One major difference between salaried employees and hourly paid employees is overtime eligibility. Salaried employees are usually exempt from overtime as opposed to hourly paid staff.
General Manager VS Other Jobs
The average salary for General Manager is 26% more than that of Executive and Management. Also, Executive and Management salaries are 35% more than those of All Jobs.
Salary comparison with similar jobs
| Job Title | Average Salary |
| Account Coordinator | 92,800 USD |  -42% |
| Administration Manager | 104,000 USD | -35% |
| Area Manager | 99,300 USD | -38% |
| Asset Protection Associate | 119,000 USD | -26% |
| Assistant Director | 110,000 USD | -32% |
| Assistant Manager | 118,000 USD | -27% |
| Assistant Operations Manager | 129,000 USD | -20% |
| Assistant Project Manager | 109,000 USD | -32% |
| Assistant Section Head | 96,000 USD | -40% |
| Assistant to CEO | 99,500 USD | -38% |
| Assistant Vice President | 115,000 USD | -29% |
| Associate Director | 112,000 USD | -30% |
| Bid Manager | 122,000 USD | -24% |
| Branch Manager | 121,000 USD | -25% |
| Business Development Manager | 145,000 USD | -10% |
| Business Operations Associate | 118,000 USD | -27% |
| Business Operations Lead | 113,000 USD | -30% |
| Campaign Manager | 127,000 USD | -21% |
| Chairman of The Board | 207,000 USD |  +28% |
| Chairman Office Manager | 140,000 USD | -13% |
| Chief Corporate Officer | 170,000 USD | +6% |
| Chief Executive Officer | 218,000 USD | +35% |
| Chief Financial Officer | 194,000 USD | +20% |
| Chief of Staff | 101,000 USD | -37% |
| Chief Operating Officer | 168,000 USD | +4% |
| Chief Risk Officer | 142,000 USD | -12% |
| Client Services Manager | 137,000 USD | -15% |
| Commercial Project Manager | 122,000 USD | -24% |
| Commodity Broker | 87,800 USD | -46% |
| Corporate Affairs Executive | 125,000 USD | -22% |
| Corporate Compliance Director | 136,000 USD | -16% |
| Corporate Director | 147,000 USD | -9% |
| Corporate Officer | 101,000 USD | -37% |
| Corporate Partnerships Officer | 104,000 USD | -35% |
| Country Manager | 166,000 USD | +3% |
| Deputy Director | 157,000 USD | -3% |
| Director | 172,000 USD | +7% |
| Director of Accreditation | 137,000 USD | -15% |
| Director of Catering Services | 126,000 USD | -22% |
| Director of Client Services | 136,000 USD | -16% |
| Director of Facilities Management | 119,000 USD | -26% |
| Director of Operations | 144,000 USD | -11% |
| Director of Process Simplification | 116,000 USD | -28% |
| Director of Project Management | 146,000 USD | -9% |
| Director of Revenue Management | 134,000 USD | -17% |
| Director of Training and Development | 134,000 USD | -17% |
| Distribution Manager | 148,000 USD | -8% |
| Division Manager | 127,000 USD | -21% |
| Duty Manager | 125,000 USD | -22% |
| Engagement Manager | 157,000 USD | -3% |
| Executive Director | 219,000 USD | +36% |
| Executive Manager | 181,000 USD | +12% |
| Franchise Manager | 181,000 USD | +12% |
| General Manager | 161,000 USD | -0% |
| Global Master Data Manager | 146,000 USD | -9% |
| Head of Middle Office | 134,000 USD | -17% |
| Head of Projects | 140,000 USD | -13% |
| Head of Sustainability | 120,000 USD | -26% |
| Housing Manager | 110,000 USD | -32% |
| HSE Manager | 116,000 USD | -28% |
| Key Account Manager | 125,000 USD | -22% |
| Knowledge Manager | 144,000 USD | -11% |
| Location Manager | 141,000 USD | -12% |
| Logistics Manager | 106,000 USD | -34% |
| Management Consultant | 113,000 USD | -30% |
| Management Executive | 159,000 USD | -1% |
| Manager | 138,000 USD | -14% |
| Managing Director | 176,000 USD | +9% |
| MIS Executive | 147,000 USD | -9% |
| Ocean Services Manager | 154,000 USD | -4% |
| Operations Assistant | 105,000 USD | -35% |
| Operations Director | 158,000 USD | -2% |
| Operations Executive | 161,000 USD | -0% |
| Operations Manager | 159,000 USD | -1% |
| Operations Supervisor | 133,000 USD | -17% |
| Policy Administration Executive | 118,000 USD | -27% |
| Private Sector Executive | 130,000 USD | -19% |
| Product Development Manager | 149,000 USD | -8% |
| Product Executive | 127,000 USD | -21% |
| Production Executive | 142,000 USD | -12% |
| Production Manager | 138,000 USD | -14% |
| Production Supervisor | 118,000 USD | -27% |
| Program Manager | 152,000 USD | -6% |
| Programme Coordinator | 107,000 USD | -34% |
| Project Control Manager | 143,000 USD | -11% |
| Project Coordinator | 86,100 USD | -47% |
| Project Management Officer | 99,800 USD | -38% |
| Project Manager | 108,000 USD | -33% |
| Project Portfolio Manager | 116,000 USD | -28% |
| Quality Manager | 120,000 USD | -26% |
| R/D Director | 123,000 USD | -24% |
| Regional Director | 190,000 USD | +18% |
| Regional Manager | 150,000 USD | -7% |
| Relationship Manager | 142,000 USD | -12% |
| Retail District Manager | 105,000 USD | -35% |
| Revenue Manager | 117,000 USD | -27% |
| Risk and Capital Manager | 158,000 USD | -2% |
| Risk Officer | 109,000 USD | -32% |
| Safety Manager | 105,000 USD | -35% |
| Section Head | 105,000 USD | -35% |
| Service Manager | 117,000 USD | -27% |
| Shift Supervisor | 89,500 USD | -44% |
| Solutions Manager | 107,000 USD | -34% |
| Supervisor | 90,600 USD | -44% |
| Supply Chain Manager | 150,000 USD | -7% |
| Surveyor | 103,000 USD | -36% |
| Technical Manager | 140,000 USD | -13% |
| Territory Manager | 139,000 USD | -14% |
| Validation Manager | 128,000 USD | -21% |
| Vice President | 183,000 USD | +14% |
| Zone Manager | 147,000 USD | -9% |
Salary Comparison By City
| City | Average Salary |
| Atlanta | 166,000 USD |
| Austin | 185,000 USD |
| Baltimore | 165,000 USD |
| Boston | 169,000 USD |
| Bristol | 137,000 USD |
| Chicago | 190,000 USD |
| Cincinnati | 138,000 USD |
| Cleveland | 154,000 USD |
| Dallas | 185,000 USD |
| Denver | 185,000 USD |
| Detroit | 169,000 USD |
| Honolulu | 139,000 USD |
| Houston | 204,000 USD |
| Indianapolis | 174,000 USD |
| Iowa City | 139,000 USD |
| Jacksonville | 189,000 USD |
| Kansas City | 157,000 USD |
| Kent | 137,000 USD |
| Las Vegas | 161,000 USD |
| Long Beach | 165,000 USD |
| Los Angeles | 203,000 USD |
| Memphis | 161,000 USD |
| Miami | 149,000 USD |
| Minneapolis | 152,000 USD |
| New Orleans | 144,000 USD |
| New York | 211,000 USD |
| Oakland | 149,000 USD |
| Oklahoma City | 172,000 USD |
| Orlando | 145,000 USD |
| Philadelphia | 201,000 USD |
| Phoenix | 202,000 USD |
| Sacramento | 166,000 USD |
| San Antonio | 184,000 USD |
| San Diego | 197,000 USD |
| San Francisco | 178,000 USD |
| San Jose | 179,000 USD |
| Seattle | 177,000 USD |
| Tampa | 144,000 USD |
| Vancouver | 135,000 USD |
| Washington D.C. | 176,000 USD |
Salary Comparison By State
| State | Average Salary |
| Alabama | 166,000 USD |
| Alaska | 148,000 USD |
| Arizona | 180,000 USD |
| Arkansas | 170,000 USD |
| California | 198,000 USD |
| Colorado | 165,000 USD |
| Connecticut | 163,000 USD |
| Delaware | 155,000 USD |
| District of Columbia | 155,000 USD |
| Florida | 197,000 USD |
| Georgia | 179,000 USD |
| Hawaii | 156,000 USD |
| Idaho | 159,000 USD |
| Illinois | 192,000 USD |
| Indiana | 169,000 USD |
| Iowa | 160,000 USD |
| Kansas | 163,000 USD |
| Kentucky | 172,000 USD |
| Louisiana | 176,000 USD |
| Maine | 149,000 USD |
| Maryland | 172,000 USD |
| Massachusetts | 176,000 USD |
| Michigan | 187,000 USD |
| Minnesota | 180,000 USD |
| Mississippi | 157,000 USD |
| Missouri | 172,000 USD |
| Montana | 155,000 USD |
| Nebraska | 163,000 USD |
| Nevada | 170,000 USD |
| New Hampshire | 151,000 USD |
| New Jersey | 179,000 USD |
| New Mexico | 163,000 USD |
| New York | 194,000 USD |
| North Carolina | 174,000 USD |
| North Dakota | 145,000 USD |
| Ohio | 183,000 USD |
| Oklahoma | 170,000 USD |
| Oregon | 174,000 USD |
| Pennsylvania | 178,000 USD |
| Rhode Island | 149,000 USD |
| South Carolina | 171,000 USD |
| South Dakota | 156,000 USD |
| Tennessee | 185,000 USD |
| Texas | 182,000 USD |
| Utah | 158,000 USD |
| Vermont | 150,000 USD |
| Virginia | 186,000 USD |
| Washington | 188,000 USD |
| West Virginia | 154,000 USD |
| Wisconsin | 172,000 USD |
| Wyoming | 149,000 USD |
Government vs Private Sector Salary Comparison
Where can you get paid more, working for a private company or for the government? Public sector employees in United States earn 5% more than their private sector counterparts on average across all sectors.
| Private Sector | 92,400 USD | |
| Public Sector | +5% | 97,100 USD |
