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Division manager vs unit manager

The differences between division managers and unit 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 division manager and a unit manager. Additionally, a division manager has an average salary of $81,755, which is higher than the $60,561 average annual salary of a unit manager.

The top three skills for a division manager include customer service, project management and safety program. The most important skills for a unit manager are quality care, patients, and federal regulations.

Division manager vs unit manager overview

Division ManagerUnit Manager
Yearly salary$81,755$60,561
Hourly rate$39.31$29.12
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs349,279366,932
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4444
Years of experience66

What does a division manager do?

Division managers supervise a section of the company and are responsible for that division's success. General duties include organizing, planning, allocating resources, and managing the daily operations of the sector. Part of their duty is to evaluate the division's performance and develop strategies for performance improvement. They ensure that compliance to policies and procedures is maintained by the team members. Also, they assist in employee recruitment and performance evaluation for promotion, retention, and termination undertakings. Additionally, division managers need to fix issues that hinder achieving division goals and success.

What does a unit manager do?

Unit managers are responsible for managing the nursing unit. They primarily supervise the daily care of patients and ensure quality patient care. Usually, they perform tasks like evaluating staff performance, conducting orientation for new staff, and training new members. Also, they manage schedules, minimize expenditures, and enforce health as well as safety regulations. Unit managers are registered nursing professionals with an undergraduate or graduate degree. They are honest, adaptable, and analytical professionals with strong management and leadership skills and relevant experience in nursing and patient assessment.

Division manager vs unit manager salary

Division managers and unit managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Division ManagerUnit Manager
Average salary$81,755$60,561
Salary rangeBetween $51,000 And $130,000Between $38,000 And $96,000
Highest paying CitySan Mateo, CALos Angeles, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew Jersey
Best paying companyDignity HealthMicrosoft
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between division manager and unit manager education

There are a few differences between a division manager and a unit manager in terms of educational background:

Division ManagerUnit Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorBusinessNursing
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Division manager vs unit manager demographics

Here are the differences between division managers' and unit managers' demographics:

Division ManagerUnit Manager
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 77.4% Female, 22.6%Male, 42.4% Female, 57.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between division manager and unit manager duties and responsibilities

Division manager example responsibilities.

  • Achieve $2.5 million increase in EBITDA, from - $2.3 million to + $200K.
  • Exceed budget in years two & three and achieve ISO certification in year one.
  • Exceed budget in years 2 & 3 and achieve ISO certification in year 1.
  • Launch the usage of a CRM tool to assist associates in managing book of business.
  • Develop operational plans, implement schedules, coordinate supply logistics and manage the operational plan from inception to completion.
  • Establish productive working relationships with state and federal regulatory agencies, reorganize and improve operation, and achieve OSHA compliance.
  • Show more

Unit manager example responsibilities.

  • Develop corporate culture utilizing skills attain through ERP and TQM management training.
  • Set and achieve goal of entire staff certification in ACLS and EKG interpretation.
  • Manage departmental resources, staffing plans, KPIs, strategic initiatives, and budget.
  • Enhance scheduling visibility to reduce age work-in-progress (WIP) and achieve EBIT goal.
  • Lead and manage the delivery of patient-care to a 50 patient unit in a LTC facility.
  • Achieve all major milestones in preparation for major ERP system upgrade and cultural change for organization.
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Division manager vs unit manager skills

Common division manager skills
  • Customer Service, 16%
  • Project Management, 7%
  • Safety Program, 6%
  • Oversight, 6%
  • Human Resources, 5%
  • Financial Statements, 4%
Common unit manager skills
  • Quality Care, 17%
  • Patients, 10%
  • Federal Regulations, 8%
  • Resident Care, 8%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Compassion, 4%

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