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Area director vs district manager

The differences between area directors and district managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an area director and a district manager. Additionally, an area director has an average salary of $100,433, which is higher than the $96,909 average annual salary of a district manager.

The top three skills for an area director include customer service, patients and home health. The most important skills for a district manager are customer service, multi-unit, and customer satisfaction.

Area director vs district manager overview

Area DirectorDistrict Manager
Yearly salary$100,433$96,909
Hourly rate$48.29$46.59
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs47,326373,525
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4444
Years of experience66

What does an area director do?

Area directors oversee the operations of the company in a particular area. They manage the company's presence in their assigned area. Area directors come up with strategies so that their area meets company goals. They manage the company's performance in their area, from sales to marketing to finance to human resources. Area directors are expected to have in-depth knowledge of the situation and the context in the area they handle. They should be able to identify strengths and areas for improvement in their area. As such, they would be able to capitalize on their strengths and address their areas for improvement. Overall, area directors are responsible for the fulfillment of the company's vision in their area.

What does a district manager do?

District managers oversee the operations of a group of stores or areas covered by the assigned district. They are responsible for ensuring that the sales, marketing, quality control, and people management of their community align with the company's direction. They review the district's financial statement, draft ways to improve the district's key metrics, and mitigate any challenges that may come their way. They are also responsible for hiring store or area managers and training them to ensure that they will be significant contributors to the organization.

Area director vs district manager salary

Area directors and district managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Area DirectorDistrict Manager
Average salary$100,433$96,909
Salary rangeBetween $55,000 And $182,000Between $63,000 And $146,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateNew JerseyDelaware
Best paying companyAstraZenecaRegeneron
Best paying industryHealth CarePharmaceutical

Differences between area director and district manager education

There are a few differences between an area director and a district manager in terms of educational background:

Area DirectorDistrict Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Area director vs district manager demographics

Here are the differences between area directors' and district managers' demographics:

Area DirectorDistrict Manager
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 63.9% Female, 36.1%Male, 70.9% Female, 29.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between area director and district manager duties and responsibilities

Area director example responsibilities.

  • Manage all aspects of selling process such as ROI, quotes, budgetary approval and demos.
  • Manage due diligence requirements and rehabilitation plans.
  • Lead operations for contract rehabilitation practice across north and central Texas.
  • Establish and manage the mid-Atlantic regional office of a privately own legal education company that provide educational services to law students.
  • Provide administrative (programmatic and fiscal) oversight for residential homes for people with cerebral palsy and developmental disabilities.
  • Offer risk management and insurance services to the healthcare industry.
  • Show more

District manager example responsibilities.

  • Lead charge to get Erie branch ISO [] certify.
  • Manage store location and fill ADM duties when necessary.
  • Hire, develop, and manage depot sales staff; promote consulting, training and administration.
  • Assist in managing contract delivery drivers to ensure that all routes are covered and newspapers are delivered on time.
  • Manage shipping, receiving, material handling, refuse returns, sortation departments, forklift, PTL, and calendar operations.
  • Monitor and manage sales activity using company specific CRM.
  • Show more

Area director vs district manager skills

Common area director skills
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Patients, 8%
  • Home Health, 8%
  • Oversight, 7%
  • Human Resources, 5%
  • Financial Performance, 4%
Common district manager skills
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Multi-Unit, 7%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 5%
  • Payroll, 5%
  • Financial Performance, 5%
  • Performance Management, 4%

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