General Manager Salary in 2026
General managers oversee entire business units or departments, managing budgets, staff, and strategy. They drive revenue growth and ensure operational excellence across all functions.
Median Salary
$105,770
$8,814/mo
Entry Level
$57,100
starting pay
Senior Level
$145,200
experienced
Job Growth
+5%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports General and Operations Managers (SOC 11-1021) at a national median of $105,770 per year (mean $134,940), or $50.85 per hour, with 3,503,020 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
General Manager Overview
General managers oversee entire business units or departments, managing budgets, staff, and strategy. They drive revenue growth and ensure operational excellence across all functions.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
8-12 years
Industry
Management
Total Jobs (US)
3.5M
5-Year Growth
+17%
Category
Management
Hourly Rate
$50.85/hr
Monthly Pay
$8,814
General Manager Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated General Manager salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated General Manager Salary
$115,000
$9,583/month · $4,423/biweekly · $55.29/hr
General Manager Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the General Manager field.
Entry-level General Managers earn around $57,100, while the top 10% earn $162,400 or more.
Top Paying States for General Managers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $125,000 | +$19,230 |
| New York | $122,000 | +$16,230 |
| Illinois | $110,000 | +$4,230 |
| Texas | $104,000 | $-1,770 |
| Florida | $104,000 | $-1,770 |
Top Paying Cities for General Managers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New YorkBLS metro | $157,000 | +$51,230 |
| Los AngelesBLS metro | $125,830 | +$20,060 |
| DallasBLS metro | $111,010 | +$5,240 |
| ChicagoBLS metro | $109,390 | +$3,620 |
| MiamiBLS metro | $105,640 | $-130 |
Rows marked BLS metro are the BLS OEWS May 2025 median annual wage for General and Operations Managers in that city's metropolitan statistical area (5 of 5); the remaining rows are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier.
General Manager Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for General Manager.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
General Manager Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a General Manager from entry level to expert.
$57,100
0-2 years
$101,000
3-7 years
$145,200
8-14 years
$179,600
15+ years
Related Management Jobs
Operations Manager
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Logistics Coordinator
Procurement Specialist
Executive Assistant
Supply Chain Manager
Logistics Manager
General Manager Salary FAQ
How much does a General Manager make in 2026?
The median salary for a General Manager in the United States is $105,770 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for General and Operations Managers (SOC 11-1021); the mean is $134,940. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $57,100, senior professionals around $145,200, and top earners at $179,600 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a General Manager?
A General Manager typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 8-12 years of experience. Key skills include P&L Management, Strategic Planning, Team Building. Relevant certifications such as MBA or PMP can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for General Managers?
The job market for General Managers is projected to grow by 5% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 3.5M General Manager positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 17%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay General Managers the most?
The highest-paying states for General Managers include New York, California, Texas. In New York, the median salary is approximately $122,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my General Manager salary?
To increase your General Manager salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like P&L Management and Strategic Planning. Pursue certifications such as MBA. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With 8-12 years of experience, you can progress from $57,100 to $145,200 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: General Manager Salary
How we calculate General Manager salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for General and Operations Managers (SOC 11-1021), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $105,770, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for General and Operations Managers; BLS mean $134,940; BLS hourly median $50.85.
- Entry-level ($57,100) and senior-level ($145,200) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +5% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 3,503,020 General and Operations Managers jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 17% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Management sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $105,770; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for General Manager compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, General Manager job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Management
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: General Manager salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (P&L Management, Strategic Planning, Team Building), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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