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Business manager vs general manager

The differences between business managers and general managers 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 general manager. Additionally, a business manager has an average salary of $83,198, which is higher than the $71,581 average annual salary of a general manager.

The top three skills for a business manager include customer service, powerpoint and project management. The most important skills for a general manager are customer service, cleanliness, and food safety.

Business manager vs general manager overview

Business ManagerGeneral Manager
Yearly salary$83,198$71,581
Hourly rate$40.00$34.41
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs377,191442,690
Job satisfaction54.25
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
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 general manager do?

A general manager is responsible for handling the overall operations in the business. General managers manage the staff tasks efficiently, monitor the productivity and efficiency of the work environment, implement new strategies to improve the business performance, recognize the team's best efforts, and effective allocation of budget resources. A general manager must have excellent communication, decision-making, and critical-thinking skills to identify areas of improvement in handling customer complaints, connecting with vendors and other lines of businesses that will direct the company towards its successful objectives.

Business manager vs general manager salary

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

Business ManagerGeneral Manager
Average salary$83,198$71,581
Salary rangeBetween $47,000 And $145,000Between $40,000 And $126,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonHawaii
Best paying companyThe CitadelNVIDIA
Best paying industryTechnologyManufacturing

Differences between business manager and general manager education

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

Business ManagerGeneral Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Business manager vs general manager demographics

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

Business ManagerGeneral Manager
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 43.2% Female, 56.8%Male, 70.7% Female, 29.3%
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, 6.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between business manager and general manager 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.
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General manager example responsibilities.

  • Generate positive EBITDA and improve cash flow by managing costs and inventory.
  • Manage all recruiting and training efforts, and develop systems to track ROI comparison results.
  • Work as a FOH AGM and train to manage all staff functions including training, hiring, food and labor controls.
  • Develop yearly budget for multiple hotels that include revenue, labor, fix and variable costs to achieve overall EBITDA goal.
  • Task primarily with building logistics infrastructure, managing operational expenses, and supporting start up strategies.
  • Train and manage FOH staff and improve overall quality, organization and professionalism of restaurant and bakery.
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Business manager vs general manager skills

Common business manager skills
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • PowerPoint, 7%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Human Resources, 6%
  • Payroll Taxes, 5%
  • Business Plan, 4%
Common general manager skills
  • Customer Service, 20%
  • Cleanliness, 18%
  • Food Safety, 7%
  • Guest Service, 4%
  • Payroll, 4%
  • Math, 4%

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