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Business manager vs chief of staff

The differences between business managers and chiefs of staff can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a business manager, becoming a chief of staff takes usually requires More than 10 years. Additionally, a chief of staff has an average salary of $130,835, which is higher than the $83,198 average annual salary of a business manager.

The top three skills for a business manager include customer service, powerpoint and project management. The most important skills for a chief of staff are PET, team support, and project management.

Business manager vs chief of staff overview

Business ManagerChief Of Staff
Yearly salary$83,198$130,835
Hourly rate$40.00$62.90
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs377,191124,272
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4452
Years of experience6-

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 chief of staff do?

A chief of staff primarily supports an executive through performing various administrative tasks. Most of their responsibilities revolve around collaborating with other executive support personnel to devise strategies that will help the company, responding to inquiries and correspondence, approving communications letters, managing schedules, setting appointments, and serving as an advisor to the executive. Furthermore, when it comes to issues and disputes, the chief of staff must be quick to conduct research and perform damage control to help the executive and the company rise from the occasion.

Business manager vs chief of staff salary

Business managers and chiefs of staff have different pay scales, as shown below.

Business ManagerChief Of Staff
Average salary$83,198$130,835
Salary rangeBetween $47,000 And $145,000Between $85,000 And $200,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonCalifornia
Best paying companyThe CitadelLyft
Best paying industryTechnologyStart-up

Differences between business manager and chief of staff education

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

Business ManagerChief Of Staff
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Business manager vs chief of staff demographics

Here are the differences between business managers' and chiefs of staff' demographics:

Business ManagerChief Of Staff
Average age4452
Gender ratioMale, 43.2% Female, 56.8%Male, 62.0% Female, 38.0%
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, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 7.8% White, 76.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage10%12%

Differences between business manager and chief of staff 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

Chief of staff example responsibilities.

  • Lead headquarters (HQ) operations staff.
  • Manage the G3's fiscal year budget planning, formulation, and execution.
  • Supervise the G2 administrative section and maintain and manage the G2 budget and material resources.
  • Manage the predeployment training and the deployment process to receiving commands, and subsequent redeployment and deactivation.
  • Manage budgets of $75,000 to $22 million paying keen attention to cost containment and ROI.
  • Credit for managing and improving the HAZMAT program, which serve as a benchmark example for the base community.
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Business manager vs chief of staff skills

Common business manager skills
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • PowerPoint, 7%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Human Resources, 6%
  • Payroll Taxes, 5%
  • Business Plan, 4%
Common chief of staff skills
  • PET, 15%
  • Team Support, 11%
  • Project Management, 8%
  • Oversight, 7%
  • Direct Reports, 6%
  • Marketing Campaigns, 6%

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