CFChooseField
Management

General and Operations Managers

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for General and Operations Managers

Median pay

$102,950
Median annual pay for General and Operations Managers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

4.4%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

308,700
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

3,712,900
Estimated U.S. employment for General and Operations Managers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+164,000
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

Bachelor's degree
Typical additional preparation: 5 years or more of related work experience.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Monitoring
  3. 3Reading Comprehension
  4. 4Speaking
  5. 5Critical Thinking
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Administration and Management
  2. 2Customer and Personal Service
  3. 3English Language
  4. 4Production and Processing
  5. 5Mathematics
  6. 6Personnel and Human Resources

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Comprehension
  2. 2Oral Expression
  3. 3Written Comprehension
  4. 4Written Expression
  5. 5Deductive Reasoning
  6. 6Problem Sensitivity

Career interests

  1. 1Enterprising
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Social
  4. 4Investigative
  5. 5Realistic
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Leadership Orientation
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Integrity
  4. 4Achievement Orientation
  5. 5Self-Confidence
  6. 6Initiative

Work activities

  1. 1Working with Computers
  2. 2Getting Information
  3. 3Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  4. 4Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  5. 5Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  6. 6Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Work context

  1. 1Frequency of Decision Making
  2. 2E-Mail
  3. 3Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  4. 4Freedom to Make Decisions
  5. 5Telephone Conversations
  6. 6Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

Representative tasks

  • 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.
  • Direct administrative activities directly related to making products or providing services.
  • Prepare staff work schedules and assign specific duties.
  • Direct or coordinate financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.
  • Plan or direct activities, such as sales promotions, that require coordination with other department managers.
  • Perform personnel functions, such as selection, training, or evaluation.
  • Establish or implement departmental policies, goals, objectives, or procedures in conjunction with board members, organization officials, or staff members.

Software and tools

Microsoft Office software · in demandMicrosoft PowerPoint · in demandMicrosoft Excel · in demandSAP software · hot technologyGoogle Analytics · hot technologyGoogle Docs · hot technologySalesforce software · hot technologyHubSpot software · hot technologyR · hot technologyPuppet · hot technologyPostgreSQL · hot technologyIBM SPSS Statistics · hot technology

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.