Top Highest-Paying Manager Jobs in 2026
Research Summary: The Zippia data team has analyzed a comprehensive blend of public government data, company information, and insights from thousands of job postings to estimate average salaries for various managerial positions across the United States. Our findings reveal the highest-paying managerial roles based on current average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of managers:
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District Manager ranks as the highest-paid managerial position, with an average salary of $96,909 and an hourly rate of $46.59.
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Following closely is the General Manager of Operations, earning an average salary of $89,522.
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The overall average salary for managers stands at $58,651 per year, translating to an hourly wage of $28.20.
Table of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be challenging. While salary is a crucial consideration, it should not be the sole factor in your decision-making process. Understanding the highest-paid managerial roles can help you strategically plan your career trajectory.
Below are the top salaries for various types of managers:
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District Manager
Average Salary: $96,909
District Managers oversee operations for multiple stores or locations within their assigned district. They ensure that sales, marketing, quality control, and personnel management align with the company’s strategic goals. Responsibilities include analyzing financial statements, developing strategies to enhance district performance, and training store or area managers to drive organizational success.
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General Manager of Operations
Average Salary: $89,522
General Managers of Operations are responsible for overseeing the overall efficiency of a business’s operations. They set performance goals, communicate strategies to staff, and collaborate with corporate officers on strategic planning.
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Associate Manager
Average Salary: $83,246
Associate Managers supervise support and clerical staff, handle recruitment and training, and ensure compliance with company policies. Qualifications typically include a high school diploma, leadership skills, and relevant experience.
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Business Manager
Average Salary: $83,198
Business Managers direct overall operations, develop strategic initiatives, assess employee performance, and ensure compliance with legal policies. Effective leadership and interpersonal skills are essential for this role.
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Operations Support Manager
Average Salary: $79,730
Operations Support Managers facilitate various support initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and employee productivity. Their role involves anticipating potential challenges and creating solutions to ensure seamless operations.
Below is a table detailing the average pay for various managerial positions, followed by an explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types of Managers
Methodology
Zippia utilizes publicly available data from government sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), to generate salary estimates.
Our data science team also reviews job postings and company-released resources for the latest salary information. This data is then used to calculate a weighted average for each job title. For more details on our salary estimates, read our detailed methodology.
FAQs on Highest-Paying Manager Jobs
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What is the highest-paid manager job?
The highest-paid manager role is that of a District Manager. District Managers earn an average salary of $96,909, equating to $46.59 per hour.
District Managers oversee operations for several stores or areas, ensuring alignment in sales, marketing, quality control, and personnel management. They analyze financial statements, strategize improvements, and are responsible for hiring and training store or area managers.
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What is a good salary for a manager?
A good salary for a manager is $58,651 or higher. This figure represents the average salary for managers, indicating that those earning this amount are above the average pay scale.
However, the average salary can vary based on location, as companies adjust their pay depending on the local cost of living. It’s advisable to research average salaries in your area for accurate compensation insights.
New managers can expect an average entry-level salary of approximately $24,158, so it’s essential to consider the full spectrum of managerial salaries.
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Do manager jobs pay well?
Yes, manager jobs typically offer competitive salaries. While some managerial roles pay more than others, the average manager salary of $58,651 is significantly above the national average salary of about $44,225 annually.
Additionally, many managerial positions offer high earning potential, with the top 10% of managers averaging $67,650 per year.
Managerial salaries fluctuate based on experience, industry, and location, so it’s crucial to research the going rates in your field.
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Where do managers earn the highest salaries?
Managers receive the highest salaries in New Jersey. In New Jersey, the average annual salary for managers is $98,845, with an hourly wage of $47.52.
Following New Jersey, the states with the highest managerial salaries include New York, California, and the District of Columbia, with average annual salaries of $93,313, $90,017, and $90,789, respectively.
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.
