Department manager vs dept manager

The differences between department managers and dept 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 department manager and a dept manager. Additionally, a department manager has an average salary of $67,160, which is higher than the $50,222 average annual salary of a dept manager.

The top three skills for a department manager include inventory management, sales promotions and cleanliness. The most important skills for a dept manager are customer service, sales floor, and pallet jack.

Department manager vs dept manager overview

	Department Manager	Dept Manager
Yearly salary	$67,160	$50,222
Hourly rate	$32.29	$24.15
Growth rate	5%	6%
Number of jobs	330,327	221,313
Job satisfaction	4	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 46%	Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	6	6

What does a department manager do?

Department managers oversee the operations of the department they are assigned to. They manage all aspects of the operation, including finance, sales, quality control, and human resources. They set department goals and the steps the team needs to take to ensure that the goals are met. Department managers are also in charge of training team members so that these team members will be able to work together harmoniously. They should also be able to keep the team's goal in sight and adjust their strategy as needed.

What does a dept manager do?

A department manager is responsible for monitoring the operations of the assigned department, ensuring the maximum productivity and optimal performance of the staff. Department managers also coordinate with business partners, clients, and customers, as well as identifying business opportunities to drive more revenues and increase profitability. They handle department budgets and maintain the proper allocation of resources to support project management and deliverables. A department manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills, managing the staff's needs, and providing excellent support.

Department manager vs dept manager salary

Department managers and dept managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Department Manager	Dept Manager
Average salary	$67,160	$50,222
Salary range	Between $39,000 And $115,000	Between $28,000 And $87,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Bay Shore, NY
Highest paying state	New Jersey	Rhode Island
Best paying company	Ralph Lauren	UPMC
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Retail

Differences between department manager and dept manager education

There are a few differences between a department manager and a dept manager in terms of educational background:

	Department Manager	Dept Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 46%	Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	SUNY College of Technology at Delhi	SUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Department manager vs dept manager demographics

Here are the differences between department managers' and dept managers' demographics:

	Department Manager	Dept Manager
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 51.8% Female, 48.2%	Male, 52.5% Female, 47.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 6.7% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between department manager and dept manager duties and responsibilities

Department manager example responsibilities.

Participate in company's ISO certification program, successfully achieving ISO [] and AS9100 certification.
Manage and delegate over lumber-building materials department including millwork department.
Manage electronics, wireless connection center, layaway and online order/pickup departments.
Develop schedules; manage payroll; multitask extensively to ensure competing requirements are complete.
Monitor and maximize sales and payroll by identifying sales opportunities and managing controllable expenses.
Manage geotechnical aspects of an EIR/EIS for a coastal development in an environmentally sensitive lagoon.

Dept manager example responsibilities.

Manage application process and hiring of employees for seasonal photography business.
Implement inventory management system to effectively manage on-hands, assist with correct replenishment and maintain an acceptable level of over-stock.
Experience with photography including DSLR formats and small to large format film processes.
Process merchandise information through store computer system, POS register system and complete all require paperwork.
Perform fast and efficient computerize cash register/credit card POS operations, cash accountability, and drive control.
Assist in several other departments throughout store, such as electronics, jewelry, automotive, apparel and sporting goods.

Department manager vs dept manager skills

Common department manager skills

Inventory Management, 38%
Sales Promotions, 17%
Cleanliness, 13%
Customer Service, 8%
Sales Floor, 3%
Product Knowledge, 2%

Common dept manager skills

Customer Service, 33%
Sales Floor, 9%
Pallet Jack, 9%
Inventory Control, 6%
Product Knowledge, 6%
Payroll, 4%

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Department Manager
Department Manager vs Dept Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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