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City manager vs district manager

The differences between city managers and district managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes More than 10 years to become a city manager, becoming a district manager takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a district manager has an average salary of $96,909, which is higher than the $76,188 average annual salary of a city manager.

The top three skills for a city manager include human resources, economic development and oversight. The most important skills for a district manager are customer service, multi-unit, and customer satisfaction.

City manager vs district manager overview

City ManagerDistrict Manager
Yearly salary$76,188$96,909
Hourly rate$36.63$46.59
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs8,928373,525
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age5244
Years of experience-6

What does a city manager do?

A city manager is responsible for monitoring city operations and manage staff to advise programs and initiatives for the benefits of the citizens. City managers oversee community projects and allocate adequate resources to support functions and societal activities. They also serve as a liaison to clear political disputes and officer conflicts. A city manager attends community events and meetings to represent the city, provide progress updates, and coordinate with other local organizations for sponsorship and funding events.

What does a district manager do?

District managers oversee the operations of a group of stores or areas covered by the assigned district. They are responsible for ensuring that the sales, marketing, quality control, and people management of their community align with the company's direction. They review the district's financial statement, draft ways to improve the district's key metrics, and mitigate any challenges that may come their way. They are also responsible for hiring store or area managers and training them to ensure that they will be significant contributors to the organization.

City manager vs district manager salary

City managers and district managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

City ManagerDistrict Manager
Average salary$76,188$96,909
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $142,000Between $63,000 And $146,000
Highest paying CityHayward, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateCaliforniaDelaware
Best paying companyAppleRegeneron
Best paying industryStart-upPharmaceutical

Differences between city manager and district manager education

There are a few differences between a city manager and a district manager in terms of educational background:

City ManagerDistrict Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

City manager vs district manager demographics

Here are the differences between city managers' and district managers' demographics:

City ManagerDistrict Manager
Average age5244
Gender ratioMale, 69.6% Female, 30.4%Male, 70.9% Female, 29.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 7.6% White, 76.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage12%10%

Differences between city manager and district manager duties and responsibilities

City manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage debt issuance, debt service, redemptions and tax arbitrage calculations.
  • Interpret and apply GAAP and GASB and other applicable accounting guidelines.
  • Provide assistance in oversight and management of all city operations.
  • Deploy code enforcement oversight to counter deteriorating private properties as well as public infrastructure.
  • Complete major renovations and improvements to the city water plant and negotiate and purchase a new city police station building.
  • Save utility system from financial collapse while completing city wide meter installations with new water rate and tap fee schedules.
  • Show more

District manager example responsibilities.

  • Lead charge to get Erie branch ISO [] certify.
  • Manage store location and fill ADM duties when necessary.
  • Hire, develop, and manage depot sales staff; promote consulting, training and administration.
  • Assist in managing contract delivery drivers to ensure that all routes are covered and newspapers are delivered on time.
  • Manage shipping, receiving, material handling, refuse returns, sortation departments, forklift, PTL, and calendar operations.
  • Monitor and manage sales activity using company specific CRM.
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City manager vs district manager skills

Common city manager skills
  • Human Resources, 9%
  • Economic Development, 8%
  • Oversight, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Public Works, 6%
  • Payroll, 6%
Common district manager skills
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Multi-Unit, 7%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 5%
  • Payroll, 5%
  • Financial Performance, 5%
  • Performance Management, 4%

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