How long does the training take?

Typically about four years for the degree, then 5 years or more of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do general and operations managers make?

The US median is $105,770 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree for this work?

Yes, and employers also expect years of related experience first.

Where can you train for this work?

2,575 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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General and operations managers: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Management · SOC 11-1021

$105,770US median pay, 2025

+5%Projected growth, 2025–35

285,000Openings per year

Degree + experienceUsual way in

How you get in

Not an entry-level job: it usually takes a degree plus years of related work.

Bachelor's degree
5 years or more of experience in a related job
Work in: general and operations managers

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Business Administration and Management, General	CIP 52.0201	2,320
Business/Commerce, General	CIP 52.0101	782
Finance, General	CIP 52.0801	733
Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies	CIP 52.0701	515
Public Administration	CIP 44.0401	427
International Business/Trade/Commerce	CIP 52.1101	394
Management Science	CIP 52.1301	313
Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management	CIP 52.0206	181
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management, General	CIP 31.0301	118
Retail Management	CIP 52.0212	63
Risk Management	CIP 52.0215	10
Social Entrepreneurship	CIP 52.0704	9
Veterinary Office Management/Administration	CIP 01.8202	2
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management, Other	CIP 31.0399	1
Financial Risk Management	CIP 52.0810	0

See the 2,575 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically about four years for the degree, then 5 years or more of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do general and operations managers make?: The US median is $105,770 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree for this work?: Yes, and employers also expect years of related experience first.
Where can you train for this work?: 2,575 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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