Business Manager
Business & Management
CIP Name: Business Management|CIP Code: 52.0201
SOC Codes: 11-1011, 11-1021, 11-3051, 25-1011, 11-3071, 11-3111, 11-3121, 11-3131, 11-9021, 11-9072, 11-9151, 13-1051, 13-1071, 13-1081, 13-1082, 11-2022, 13-1111, 13-1141, 11-3012, 11-3013
Plan, organize, direct, and control the functions and processes of a firm or organization.
$102K
Median Salary
+5.45%
Job Growth
6mo-2.3yr
Training
18.6K
Jobs/Year
What Business Managers Do
Plan, organize, direct, and control the functions and processes of a firm or organization.
Common Tasks
Chief Executives
- 1Direct or coordinate an organization's financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.
- 2Confer with board members, organization officials, or staff members to discuss issues, coordinate activities, or resolve problems.
- 3Prepare budgets for approval, including those for funding or implementation of programs.
- 4Direct, plan, or implement policies, objectives, or activities of organizations or businesses to ensure continuing operations, to maximize returns on investments, or to increase productivity.
- 5Prepare or present reports concerning activities, expenses, budgets, government statutes or rulings, or other items affecting businesses or program services.
What You'll Learn
management theoryhuman resources management and behavioraccounting and other quantitative methodspurchasing and logisticsorganization and productionmarketingbusiness decision-making
Types of Business Managers
CEO (Chief Executive Officer)Chief Diversity Officer (CDO)Chief Financial Officer (CFO)Chief Information Officer (CIO)Chief Operating Officer (COO)Chief Technical Officer (CTO)Executive DirectorExecutive Vice President (EVP)Operations Vice President (Operations VP)PresidentBusiness ManagerCenter ManagerDepartment ManagerDistrict ManagerGeneral Manager (GM)Operations DirectorOperations General Manager (Operations GM)Operations ManagerPlant SuperintendentStore ManagerArea Plant ManagerAssembly ManagerGeneral Production ManagerManufacturing CoordinatorManufacturing ManagerPlant ManagerProduct Line ManagerProduction Control ManagerProduction ManagerSub Plant ManagerAccounting InstructorAccounting ProfessorAssociate ProfessorBusiness Administration ProfessorBusiness InstructorBusiness ProfessorInstructorManagement ProfessorMarketing ProfessorProfessorDistribution Center ManagerDistribution ManagerFleet ManagerGlobal Transportation ManagerLogistics DirectorLogistics Operations ManagerShipping ManagerSupply Chain Logistics ManagerTransportation ManagerWarehouse SupervisorBenefits CoordinatorBenefits DirectorBenefits ManagerCompensation DirectorCompensation ManagerCompensation and Benefits DirectorCompensation and Benefits ManagerEmployee Benefits CoordinatorEmployee Benefits ManagerPayroll ManagerEmployee Relations ManagerHR Admin Director (Human Resources Administration Director)HR Director (Human Resources Director)HR Manager (Human Resources Manager)HR Ops Manager (Human Resources Operations Manager)HR VP (Human Resources Vice President)Recruitment DirectorEducation and Development ManagerL and D Director (Learning and Development Director)Learning ManagerOrganizational Development Manager (OD Manager)Staff Development DirectorStaff Training and Development ManagerTraining DirectorTraining ManagerTraining and Development Coordinator (T and D Coordinator)Training and Development Director (T and D Director)Concrete ForemanConstruction Area ManagerConstruction ForemanConstruction Management SupervisorConstruction ManagerConstruction Services ManagerConstruction SuperintendentGeneral SuperintendentJob SuperintendentSite ManagerCamp DirectorCamp and Recreation ManagerEvents ManagerEvents and Competitions DirectorExperiences ManagerGolf Course ManagerPark ManagerRecreation DirectorRecreation SuperintendentSocial Activities DirectorAdoption Services ManagerChild Welfare Services DirectorChildren's Service SupervisorClinical Services DirectorCommunity Services DirectorPsychiatric Social Worker SupervisorSocial Services DirectorTransitional Care DirectorVocational Rehabilitation AdministratorAcquisition Cost EstimatorAnalystConstruction EstimatorCost AnalystCost ConsultantCost EngineerCost Estimating AnalystCost EstimatorEstimating SpecialistEstimatorCorporate RecruiterEmployment RepresentativeHR Analyst (Human Resources Analyst)HR Coordinator (Human Resources Coordinator)HR Generalist (Human Resources Generalist)Human Resources Representative (HR Rep)Human Resources Specialist (HR Specialist)Personnel AnalystPersonnel OfficerRecruiterClient Services AdministratorLogisticianProduction PlannerSupply Management SpecialistDistrict Sales ManagerFractional Sales ExecutiveNational Sales ManagerRegional Sales ManagerSales DirectorSales ManagerSales Operations Manager (Sales Ops Manager)Sales SupervisorSales VP (Sales Vice President)Sales and Marketing VP (Sales and Marketing Vice President)Administrative AnalystBusiness AnalystBusiness ConsultantEmployment Programs AnalystManagement AnalystManagement ConsultantOrganizational Development ConsultantPerformance Management AnalystProgram Management AnalystBenefits AnalystBenefits ConsultantBenefits SpecialistCompensation AnalystCompensation ConsultantCompensation SpecialistCompensation and Benefits AnalystCompensation and Benefits SpecialistEmployee Benefits SpecialistPosition Classification SpecialistAdministrative CoordinatorAdministrative DirectorAdministrative ManagerAdministrative OfficerAdministratorBusiness AdministratorBuilding Maintenance SuperintendentBuilding Services SupervisorFacilities CoordinatorFacilities DirectorFacilities EngineerFacilities Maintenance ManagerFacilities ManagerFacilities Operations Manager (Facilities Ops Manager)Facilities Operations Specialist (Facilities Ops Specialist)Maintenance Superintendent
Work Environment
Locations
- • Corporate offices
- • Manufacturing plants
- • Warehouses and distribution centers
- • Retail and sales offices
- • Government agencies and nonprofits
Schedule
Most roles work full time on a set weekday schedule, but deadlines, travel, and high time pressure can require early mornings, evenings, or occasional weekends.
Physical Demands
Work is primarily desk-based with long periods of sitting and frequent computer use. Some roles involve walking job sites, warehouses, or production floors and occasional lifting of light materials.
Salary & Job Outlook
Median $102,480
$60,517$173,076+
Entry Level
10th percentile
$60,517
Early Career
25th percentile
$77,646
Median
50th percentile
$102,480
Experienced
75th percentile
$136,052
Top Earners
90th percentile
$173,076+
National Employment: 10,363,700 jobs
Top Paying States
Why Demand May Grow
Organizations continue to add managers to coordinate multi-site operations, projects, and supply chains as businesses expand and become more complex. Growth in logistics, HR, and consulting roles can also increase demand for people who can improve efficiency and manage teams.
Skills You'll Need
Leadership and people managementBudgeting and financial analysisProject planning and schedulingProcess improvement and problem-solvingWritten and verbal communicationNegotiation and conflict resolutionData analysis and spreadsheet skillsTime management and prioritization
Pros & Cons
Pros
- • Broad career options across many industries
- • Strong earning potential in management tracks
- • Opportunities to lead teams and influence strategy
- • Transferable skills that support promotions and career changes
- • Often predictable schedules compared with shift work
Cons
- • High responsibility and time pressure
- • Performance tied to budgets, sales, or operational targets
- • Can involve long hours during peak periods or crises
- • Office politics and difficult personnel issues
- • May require experience before reaching higher-level roles
FAQ
Common Questions About the Business Manager Trade
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