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What is an apartment manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
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The average apartment manager salary is $40,520. The most common degree is a bachelor's degree degree with an business major. It usually takes 4-6 years of experience to become an apartment manager. Apartment managers with a Certified Apartment Manager (CAM) certification earn more money. Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 3% and produce 11,100 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreApartment ManagerUS Average
Salary
3.2

Avg. Salary $40,520

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
8.4

Growth rate 3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.3
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.59%

Asian 5.21%

Black or African American 8.39%

Hispanic or Latino 17.26%

Unknown 4.12%

White 64.44%

Gender

female 67.28%

male 32.72%

Age - 49
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 49
Stress level
8.4

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.6

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.8

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Apartment manager career paths

Key steps to become an apartment manager

  1. Explore apartment manager education requirements

    Most common apartment manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    36.5 %

    Associate

    23.3 %

    High School Diploma

    22.9 %
  2. Start to develop specific apartment manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Property Management7.57%
    Evictions7.16%
    Bank Deposits5.02%
    Rent Collection5.01%
    Background Checks4.68%
  3. Complete relevant apartment manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New apartment managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an apartment manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real apartment manager resumes.
  4. Gain additional apartment manager certifications

    Apartment manager certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific apartment manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for apartment managers include Certified Apartment Manager (CAM) and Certified Property Manager (CPM).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research apartment manager duties and responsibilities

    • Live on-site, manage property and employees, payroll, purchasing, inventory, deposits, etc.
    • Accomplish financial objectives by collecting rents, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, and prepare annual budget.
    • Design and manage all company facebook accounts for residents and prospective residents regarding property information and general interest articles.
    • Maintain all client accounts, post all move ins, late fees and any other charges on Yardi property database system.
  6. Apply for apartment manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an apartment manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first apartment manager job

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Average apartment manager salary

The average apartment manager salary in the United States is $40,520 per year or $19 per hour. Apartment manager salaries range between $23,000 and $70,000 per year.

Average apartment manager salary
$40,520 Yearly
$19.48 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do apartment managers rate their job?

5/5

Based on 1 ratings

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Apartment manager reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2022
Pros

I believe that as a property manager you are trusted with one of the most intimate areas of a persons life!… their home! That’s one heck of a responsibility because , at the end of the day everything starts and ends with home!

Cons

The only thing I don’t like about working in the property management field is having to turn people away or add them to a waitlist. The demand/need for affordable quality housing is so great… it’s nearly impossible to assist everyone you meet because the demand far exceeds the supply. That is so frustrating and leaves me feeling like I’ve let people down when I don’t have anything available. Sometimes hearing the desperation in their voices gets to me and I find myself upset when I am unable yo help them.


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5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2020
Pros

Just being able to take care of rent and things that broke . Living on the premises

Cons

I love it


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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020
Pros

Working with people and providing 4 star service. Great opportunity to prove your leadership skills running a large scale operation.

Cons

If you are not a people person, don't like long hours, or keeping calm in stressful situations, this job is not for you.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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