General and Operations Managers
SOC code 11-1021 · O*NET-SOC 11-1021.00 · Considerable preparation needed
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects numerous job openings for this occupation
General and Operations Managers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$105,770
a year
Hourly
$50.85
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$134,940
$64.87 per hour
Middle 50%
$72,320 – $167,280
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$50,090 – $253,390
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
3,503,020
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $50,090
- $24.08/hr
- 25th percentile
- $72,320
- $34.77/hr
- Median percentile
- $105,770
- $50.85/hr
- 75th percentile
- $167,280
- $80.42/hr
- 90th percentile
- $253,390
- $121.82/hr
What do general and operations managers 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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Review financial statements, sales or activity reports, or other performance data to measure productivity or goal achievement or to identify areas needing cost reduction or program improvement.
- Direct and coordinate activities of businesses or departments concerned with the production, pricing, sales, or distribution of products.
- Manage the movement of goods into and out of production facilities to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, or sustainability of operations.
- Direct administrative activities directly related to making products or providing services.
- Set prices or credit terms for goods or services, based on forecasts of customer demand.
- Prepare staff work schedules and assign specific duties.
- Direct or coordinate financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.
- Perform sales floor work, such as greeting or assisting customers, stocking shelves, or taking inventory.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 29% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)29%
- Bachelor's Degree27%
- Some College Courses22%
- Less than a High School Diploma10%
Common questions
How much does a general and operations managers earn?
The national median is $105,770 a year. The full range runs from $50,090 at the 10th percentile to $253,390 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a general and operations managers without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Monitoring4.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.9/5
- Active Learning3.6/5
Knowledge areas
- Administration and Management4.3/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.2/5
- English Language3.7/5
- Production and Processing3.6/5
- Mathematics3.5/5
- Personnel and Human Resources3.4/5
- Administrative3.2/5
- Economics and Accounting3.2/5
Transferable strengths: Coordination, Social Perceptiveness, Management of Personnel Resources, Persuasion.