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Business manager vs business owner

The differences between business managers and business owners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a business manager and a business owner. Additionally, a business manager has an average salary of $83,198, which is higher than the $50,934 average annual salary of a business owner.

The top three skills for a business manager include customer service, powerpoint and project management. The most important skills for a business owner are customer service, payroll, and financial statements.

Business manager vs business owner overview

Business ManagerBusiness Owner
Yearly salary$83,198$50,934
Hourly rate$40.00$24.49
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs377,191107,663
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4444
Years of experience66

What does a business manager do?

A business manager is responsible for directing the overall operations of the company, ensuring that all employees do their tasks efficiently and accurately. Business managers' duties include developing strategic solutions, evaluating employees' performance, identifying business opportunities to grow, monitoring the company's expenses to meet its budget goals, implementing techniques to boost the company's revenue and profitability, and adhering to the company's legal policies and procedures. A business manager must have excellent leadership and interpersonal skills to supervise daily operations.

What does a business owner do?

Business owners, also known as Entrepreneurs, are responsible for their company and brand's success. There are many areas of responsibility when you're a business owner, such as in the aspects of planning and budgeting, arranging finances and legal documentation, and even hiring the workforce essential for the business to grow. However, these responsibilities will vary according to how a business owner will uphold them. Moreover, building a business from the ground up requires dedication and a vision and mission for the brand.

Business manager vs business owner salary

Business managers and business owners have different pay scales, as shown below.

Business ManagerBusiness Owner
Average salary$83,198$50,934
Salary rangeBetween $47,000 And $145,000Between $27,000 And $94,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateWashingtonWashington
Best paying companyThe CitadelBD
Best paying industryTechnologyRetail

Differences between business manager and business owner education

There are a few differences between a business manager and a business owner in terms of educational background:

Business ManagerBusiness Owner
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Business manager vs business owner demographics

Here are the differences between business managers' and business owners' demographics:

Business ManagerBusiness Owner
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 43.2% Female, 56.8%Male, 51.4% Female, 48.6%
Race ratioBlack 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%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%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between business manager and business owner duties and responsibilities

Business manager example responsibilities.

  • Coordinate and manage hvac projects from estimate to invoice.
  • Manage accounting, treasury, and process improvement initiatives to effect financial turnaround of CMRO business unit.
  • Manage and supervise firm operations on a daily basis including purchases, accounting, scheduling of vendors, attorney and CPA.
  • Create solutions in the areas of invoicing, AR reporting and payment methods that lead to system improvements and streamline processes.
  • Manage all human resource activities, operational processes and financial oversight.
  • Develop internal operating procedures design to achieve efficient clinic operations and maximum service to patients.
  • Show more

Business owner example responsibilities.

  • Manage the budget and insure operations run smoothly.
  • Create, own and manage a LLC for grind pet transportation.
  • Establish and manage a beading boutique via the Internet by utilizing Photoshop to post designs on a personal website.
  • Manage sales, customer service, billing, A/P, A/R, vendor relations, negotiations, repairs, and maintenance.
  • Manage end to end business operations including hiring, scheduling visits, conducting customer consultations and performing pet visits.
  • Handle all aspects from A/P to A/R, payroll, ordering and dealing with all distributors and city officials.
  • Show more

Business manager vs business owner skills

Common business manager skills
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • PowerPoint, 7%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Human Resources, 6%
  • Payroll Taxes, 5%
  • Business Plan, 4%
Common business owner skills
  • Customer Service, 31%
  • Payroll, 12%
  • Financial Statements, 9%
  • Business Plan, 7%
  • Business Model, 3%
  • Real Estate, 2%

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