Area manager vs operations manager

The differences between area managers and operations 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 manager and an operations manager. Additionally, an operations manager has an average salary of $76,894, which is higher than the $73,472 average annual salary of an area manager.

The top three skills for an area manager include customer service, safety standards and logistics. The most important skills for an operations manager are customer service, logistics, and continuous improvement.

Area manager vs operations manager overview

	Area Manager	Operations Manager
Yearly salary	$73,472	$76,894
Hourly rate	$35.32	$36.97
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	341,983	343,868
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	6	6

What does an area manager do?

An Area Manager's responsibility is to oversee the business operations of all company branches within a particular area. Among the tasks involve creating strategies to achieve the sales target, monitoring and evaluating the performance and progress of stores including their workforce, adhering to the budget and regulations of the company, and focus on attaining the image and financial goals. Moreover, an Area Manager must communicate and coordinate with fellow managers and hire employees that would be a vital member of the company.

What does an operations manager do?

Operations managers are in charge of running the main business of the organization. They ensure that the business is running smoothly from an operations standpoint. They make sure that the processes in place produce the necessary output by implementing quality control measures. They also manage finances and ensure that there is enough budget to keep the operations of the business running. They also ensure that the production of goods or services is cost-efficient. Operations managers also handle people-related concerns. They are responsible for interviewing candidates, choosing the ones to hire, and ensuring that individuals assigned to operations are properly trained.

Area manager vs operations manager salary

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

	Area Manager	Operations Manager
Average salary	$73,472	$76,894
Salary range	Between $50,000 And $107,000	Between $47,000 And $123,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	New York	Delaware
Best paying company	Clifford Chance	McKinsey & Company Inc
Best paying industry	Technology	Technology

Differences between area manager and operations manager education

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

	Area Manager	Operations Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Area manager vs operations manager demographics

Here are the differences between area managers' and operations managers' demographics:

	Area Manager	Operations Manager
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 69.1% Female, 30.9%	Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between area manager and operations manager duties and responsibilities

Area manager example responsibilities.

Manage the recruitment, hiring, training and development of all depot distribution staff.
Used creativity and persistence to create new sales leads and run all provide leads.
Mark by achieving district s top shrink and performance (e.g., CPR) rates.
Manage Sortation area operations and escalate customer order fulfillment issues.
Manage operations in accordance with all regulatory (HSE) requirements and company procedures/guiding principles.
Implement and manage contracts for Medicaid while maintaining excellent relationships with key local agency executives.

Operations manager example responsibilities.

Manage and lead operations that include performance management, organizational development, employment compliance, employee relations, payroll management.
Manage 2HVAC system retrofit replacement teams.
Manage all invoices, A/P, A/R and other accounting duties.
Manage computer operation teams supporting propriety and DoD programs at the Lewisville site.
Manage 45 person division and day to day operations of scheduling, communications, A/R, A/P and customer care.
Manage the export booking and documentation department ensuring smooth on-time delivery.

Area manager vs operations manager skills

Common area manager skills

Customer Service, 18%
Safety Standards, 10%
Logistics, 8%
Excellent Interpersonal, 5%
Business Plan, 4%
Continuous Improvement, 4%

Common operations manager skills

Customer Service, 23%
Logistics, 7%
Continuous Improvement, 6%
Payroll, 5%
Project Management, 4%
Process Improvement, 4%

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Area Manager
Area Manager vs Operations Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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