How to become general and operations managerseducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Management & Consulting Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$105,770

25th–75th pct. $72,320–$167,280

Top pay (est.)

$329,400

Top 10% $253,390

Pay in 5 years

$122,200est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$141,200est.

$121,400–$163,900

Outlook score

62/100

★★★☆☆ Average

AI replacement risk

54%

Moderate

Job growth (10 yr)

+5.0%

285K openings / yr

How to become general and operations managers

Typical education

Bachelor's degree

BLS

Related experience

5 years or more

On-the-job training

None

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for General and Operations Managers

Key skills

Active Listening

4.1

Monitoring

4.1

Speaking

4.1

Coordination

4.0

Management of Personnel Resources

4.0

Social Perceptiveness

4.0

Reading Comprehension

4.0

Complex Problem Solving

3.9

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service

4.6

Administration and Management

4.4

Production and Processing

4.2

Mathematics

4.1

Personnel and Human Resources

4.0

Administrative

4.0

Education and Training

3.6

English Language

3.6

What the work involves

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkCoaching and Developing Others

Important abilities

Oral ExpressionOral ComprehensionDeductive ReasoningProblem SensitivityWritten ExpressionWritten Comprehension

Education of workers

High school diploma

29%

Bachelor's degree

27%

Some college

22%

Less than high school

10%

Associate's degree

Post-secondary certificate

Training before entry

2–4 years

26%

6–12 months

18%

1–3 months

18%

1–2 years

15%

None / short demo

11%

Up to 1 month

4–10 years

Related work experience

4–6 years

24%

2–4 years

19%

Over 10 years

18%

6–12 months

15%

None

10%

6–8 years

1–2 years

3–6 months

Up to 1 month

Job Zone 4 — considerable preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★★☆☆ Moderate (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as general and operations managers

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Business Operations Specialists, All Other All business operations specialists not listed separately.	$83,050	65/100	30%
2	Project Management Specialists Analyze and coordinate the schedule, timeline, procurement, staffing, and budget of a product or service on a per project basis.	$102,320	57/100	70%
3	Human Resources Specialists Recruit, screen, interview, or place individuals within an organization.	$75,940	59/100	61%
4	Management Analysts Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplification and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively.	$101,860	69/100	66%
5	Financial Managers Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.	$166,570	65/100	65%
6	Computer and Information Systems Managers Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.	$175,140	68/100	65%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.