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What is a box office manager and how to become one
The box office is a vital part of any movie theater or performing arts venue. The box office is where patrons come to purchase or pick up tickets, so their work is crucial in setting up the show for financial success. The box office manager is in charge of making sure that the box office runs smoothly.
The box office manager usually hires and supervises a team of employees that sell tickets to customers. The box office manager takes care of the logistical concerns of running a box office such as balancing the books, scheduling staff, and arranging complicated ticket requests such as group visits.
It's no surprise that box office manager is a popular career for theater lovers, after all, they get paid to help shows go on! In fact, 20% of box office managers with bachelor's degrees majored in theater. Box office managers do not keep traditional office hours since they have to work whenever a show is on, including evenings and weekends. However, many think the long hours are worth it in order to keep the arts alive.
Avg. Salary $47,607
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate -5%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.68%
Asian 6.23%
Black or African American 10.31%
Hispanic or Latino 15.63%
Unknown 4.88%
White 62.26%
Genderfemale 63.88%
male 36.12%
Age - 48American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 48Stress level is high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work life balance is fair
6.4 - fair
Box office manager career paths
Key steps to become a box office manager
Explore box office manager education requirements
Start to develop specific box office manager skills
Skills Percentages Cash Management 10.41% Reservations 8.40% Booking 6.58% Cash Handling 6.52% Ticket Orders 6.37% Complete relevant box office manager training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New box office 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 a box office manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real box office manager resumes.Research box office manager duties and responsibilities
- Manage box office staff, house management, and ushers while delivering excellent customer service within payroll projections.
- Manage, train, sell event tickets & mentore, and evaluate box office and pre-show stars working events.
- Manage digital and in-person reservations and ticket sales and maintain the ticket website
- Conduct payments using POS system.
Apply for box office manager jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a box office manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first box office manager job
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Average box office manager salary
The average box office manager salary in the United States is $47,607 per year or $23 per hour. Box office manager salaries range between $36,000 and $61,000 per year.
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How do box office managers rate their job?
Box office manager reviews
Being able to motivate administrative personnel to do their jobs well and meet deadlines.
Having to reprimand personnel when duties are neglected.
diverse responsibilities, interfacing with all levels of professionals
nothing comes to mind
Updated January 8, 2025
