Best cities for a general manager/director
The best cities for general managers/director are Virginia Beach, VA, Norfolk, VA, and Chesapeake, VA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for general managers/director vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for general managers/director in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a general manager/director or considering a move, this list of the best cities for general managers/director to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for general managers/director. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a general manager/director. While the absolute best city for general managers/director is Virginia Beach, VA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for general managers/director in 2024.
If you're looking for a general manager/director job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for general managers/director in 2025
1. Virginia Beach, VA
Total general manager/director jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $159,200 Lowest 10 percent warn: $106,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $237,000 Location quotient: 0.00 2. Norfolk, VA
Total general manager/director jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $158,975 Lowest 10 percent warn: $106,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $237,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Chesapeake, VA
Total general manager/director jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $158,788 Lowest 10 percent warn: $106,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $237,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Boston, MA
Total general manager/director jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $155,158 Lowest 10 percent warn: $104,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $231,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Jersey City, NJ
Total general manager/director jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $154,190 Lowest 10 percent warn: $103,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $229,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Seattle, WA
Total general manager/director jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $152,832 Lowest 10 percent warn: $97,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $239,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Newark, NJ
Total general manager/director jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $154,122 Lowest 10 percent warn: $103,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $229,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Colorado Springs, CO
Total general manager/director jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $142,495 Lowest 10 percent warn: $92,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $218,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Denver, CO
Total general manager/director jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $140,984 Lowest 10 percent warn: $92,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $215,000 Location quotient: 1.28 10. Cleveland, OH
Total general manager/director jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $119,335 Lowest 10 percent warn: $79,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $178,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for general managers/director
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Norfolk, VA
- Chesapeake, VA
- Boston, MA
- Jersey City, NJ
- Seattle, WA
- Newark, NJ
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Denver, CO
- Cleveland, OH
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Detailed list of the best cities for a general manager/director
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia Beach, VA | $159,200 | $106,000 | 452,602 | - |
| 2 | Norfolk, VA | $158,975 | $106,000 | 245,115 | - |
| 3 | Chesapeake, VA | $158,788 | $106,000 | 237,940 | - |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $155,158 | $104,000 | 673,184 | - |
| 5 | Jersey City, NJ | $154,190 | $103,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 6 | Seattle, WA | $152,832 | $97,000 | 704,352 | - |
| 7 | Newark, NJ | $154,122 | $103,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 8 | Colorado Springs, CO | $142,495 | $92,000 | 465,101 | - |
| 9 | Denver, CO | $140,984 | $92,000 | 693,060 | 2 |
| 10 | Cleveland, OH | $119,335 | $79,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 11 | Milwaukee, WI | $129,402 | $85,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 12 | Laredo, TX | $126,388 | $78,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 13 | Aurora, CO | $140,999 | $92,000 | 361,710 | - |
| 14 | Madison, WI | $127,888 | $84,000 | 252,551 | - |
| 15 | Toledo, OH | $117,624 | $78,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 16 | Austin, TX | $124,636 | $78,000 | 947,890 | 3 |
| 17 | Fort Wayne, IN | $120,607 | $79,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 18 | El Paso, TX | $126,829 | $79,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 19 | Brookhaven, NY | $146,933 | $98,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 20 | New York, NY | $146,228 | $98,000 | 8,537,673 | 12 |
| 21 | Corpus Christi, TX | $125,837 | $78,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 22 | Indianapolis, IN | $118,654 | $78,000 | 855,164 | 1 |
| 23 | Islip, NY | $146,744 | $98,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 24 | San Antonio, TX | $125,797 | $78,000 | 1,492,510 | - |
| 25 | Oyster Bay, NY | $146,560 | $98,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 26 | Washington, DC | $162,688 | $109,000 | 681,170 | 1 |
| 27 | Hempstead, NY | $146,438 | $98,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 28 | Columbus, OH | $117,083 | $77,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 29 | San Jose, CA | $148,810 | $94,000 | 1,025,350 | 5 |
| 30 | San Francisco, CA | $149,713 | $95,000 | 870,887 | 4 |
| 31 | Houston, TX | $124,159 | $77,000 | 2,303,482 | - |
| 32 | Fresno, CA | $145,847 | $92,000 | 522,053 | 2 |
| 33 | Cincinnati, OH | $115,069 | $76,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 34 | Buffalo, NY | $142,683 | $95,000 | 256,902 | - |
| 35 | Raleigh, NC | $120,725 | $80,000 | 458,880 | - |
| 36 | Greensboro, NC | $119,839 | $79,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 37 | Durham, NC | $120,632 | $80,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 38 | Winston-Salem, NC | $119,472 | $79,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 39 | Albuquerque, NM | $121,208 | $77,000 | 559,277 | - |
| 40 | Charlotte, NC | $118,433 | $78,000 | 842,051 | - |
| 41 | Oakland, CA | $149,400 | $95,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 42 | Fremont, CA | $148,997 | $94,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 43 | Stockton, CA | $147,950 | $94,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 44 | Sacramento, CA | $147,486 | $94,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 45 | Los Angeles, CA | $141,635 | $89,000 | 3,976,322 | 4 |
| 46 | Saint Paul, MN | $119,528 | $78,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 47 | Minneapolis, MN | $119,389 | $78,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 48 | Lubbock, TX | $117,827 | $74,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 49 | Detroit, MI | $112,417 | $74,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 50 | Bakersfield, CA | $143,597 | $90,000 | 376,380 | - |
Highest paying cities for general managers/director
| Rank | City | Avg. general manager/director salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston, MA | $155,158 |
| 2 | Newark, NJ | $154,122 |
| 3 | Bellevue, WA | $152,419 |
| 4 | Santa Rosa, CA | $149,875 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $146,228 |
| 6 | Englewood, CO | $141,299 |
| 7 | Milwaukee, WI | $129,402 |
| 8 | Austin, TX | $124,636 |
| 9 | Albuquerque, NM | $121,208 |
| 10 | Indianapolis, IN | $118,654 |
| 11 | Melrose Park, IL | $116,129 |
| 12 | Detroit, MI | $112,417 |
| 13 | Palm Beach Gardens, FL | $104,796 |
| 14 | Allentown, PA | $104,044 |
| 15 | Tucker, GA | $103,830 |
| 16 | New Orleans, LA | $103,440 |
| 17 | Portland, OR | $101,635 |
| 18 | Myrtle Beach, SC | $93,194 |
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Updated January 8, 2025