Research Summary. After thorough analysis by the Zippia data science team, we present the updated details of general manager salaries by state for the United States as of 2026:
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Hawaii continues to offer the highest general manager salary at $95,591.
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Arkansas remains at the bottom with the lowest general manager salary of $40,623.
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The national average salary for general managers is $71,581.
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The national hourly pay for general managers is $34.41.
For more detailed insight into our methodology, click here.
Background
Salary remains a predominant factor in career satisfaction across various demographics. Prospective general managers often inquire about compensation levels in their regions to gauge potential earnings.
While individual salaries can vary based on factors such as experience and location, robust data exists on average salaries for general managers by state, categorized by seniority level. This information provides a useful framework for understanding potential earnings in your area.
As of 2026, Hawaii leads once again with the highest salary for general managers, showcasing its continued appeal in the job market.
Here’s a quick overview of the top ten states for general manager salaries:
Let’s explore the complete rankings of all states.
Highest-Paid General Managers By State
| Rank | State | Average General Manager Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $95,591 | $59,000 | $152,000 |
| 2 | California | $92,259 | $50,000 | $167,000 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $92,019 | $51,000 | $164,000 |
| 4 | Washington | $91,758 | $52,000 | $161,000 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $90,471 | $50,000 | $161,000 |
| 6 | New York | $90,157 | $50,000 | $161,000 |
| 7 | Alaska | $87,142 | $52,000 | $145,000 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $81,767 | $45,000 | $148,000 |
| 9 | Nevada | $79,007 | $42,000 | $146,000 |
| 10 | Delaware | $74,659 | $41,000 | $135,000 |
| 11 | Rhode Island | $73,099 | $40,000 | $133,000 |
| 12 | Maryland | $69,927 | $38,000 | $127,000 |
| 13 | Virginia | $69,783 | $38,000 | $126,000 |
| 14 | Oregon | $67,572 | $37,000 | $122,000 |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | $67,353 | $36,000 | $122,000 |
| 16 | New Hampshire | $63,577 | $35,000 | $115,000 |
| 17 | North Carolina | $63,122 | $35,000 | $113,000 |
| 18 | Colorado | $61,035 | $36,000 | $101,000 |
| 19 | Wisconsin | $60,591 | $35,000 | $103,000 |
| 20 | Illinois | $59,334 | $34,000 | $101,000 |
| 21 | Texas | $59,105 | $33,000 | $103,000 |
| 22 | Michigan | $59,071 | $33,000 | $104,000 |
| 23 | South Dakota | $58,600 | $36,000 | $93,000 |
| 24 | Maine | $58,393 | $32,000 | $105,000 |
| 25 | Alabama | $57,627 | $33,000 | $99,000 |
| 26 | New Mexico | $56,980 | $32,000 | $99,000 |
| 27 | Ohio | $56,892 | $31,000 | $101,000 |
| 28 | Florida | $56,483 | $32,000 | $97,000 |
| 29 | Minnesota | $56,162 | $34,000 | $92,000 |
| 30 | Arizona | $55,772 | $30,000 | $101,000 |
| 31 | Louisiana | $54,753 | $31,000 | $95,000 |
| 32 | Tennessee | $54,522 | $31,000 | $93,000 |
| 33 | Idaho | $54,168 | $30,000 | $95,000 |
| 34 | Georgia | $53,419 | $30,000 | $92,000 |
| 35 | Indiana | $52,897 | $30,000 | $91,000 |
| 36 | West Virginia | $51,089 | $28,000 | $91,000 |
| 37 | South Carolina | $51,063 | $28,000 | $90,000 |
| 38 | Utah | $50,614 | $29,000 | $88,000 |
| 39 | Vermont | $50,305 | $27,000 | $91,000 |
| 40 | Kentucky | $48,777 | $28,000 | $84,000 |
| 41 | Oklahoma | $46,895 | $27,000 | $79,000 |
| 42 | Montana | $46,694 | $28,000 | $75,000 |
| 43 | Nebraska | $45,451 | $27,000 | $74,000 |
| 44 | Iowa | $45,231 | $27,000 | $74,000 |
| 45 | Wyoming | $44,767 | $27,000 | $73,000 |
| 46 | Missouri | $44,623 | $26,000 | $74,000 |
| 47 | Kansas | $44,521 | $26,000 | $74,000 |
| 48 | North Dakota | $44,255 | $28,000 | $69,000 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $40,819 | $23,000 | $69,000 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $40,623 | $23,000 | $68,000 |
Methodology: General Manager Salary By State
To gain insights into general manager compensation by state, Zippia gathered data from various reliable sources, including the BLS, FLC, and OPM. This information was enhanced with actual salary listings from job postings. Our data science team then calculated a weighted average to derive average salaries for general managers by state.
The rankings are based on these average annual salary estimates, with states ordered from highest to lowest salary for general managers.
General Manager Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for general managers?
The highest-paid state for general managers is Hawaii with an average salary of $95,591 per year.
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What city pays general managers the most?
San Francisco, CA offers the highest salary for general managers, averaging $98,643 per year.
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What is the worst state for general managers?
The state with the lowest average salary for general managers is Arkansas at $40,623 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
