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General merchandise manager vs zone manager

The differences between general merchandise managers and zone 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 general merchandise manager and a zone manager. Additionally, a general merchandise manager has an average salary of $113,362, which is higher than the $50,974 average annual salary of a zone manager.

The top three skills for a general merchandise manager include customer service, inventory control and front end. The most important skills for a zone manager are work ethic, loss prevention, and inventory control.

General merchandise manager vs zone manager overview

General Merchandise ManagerZone Manager
Yearly salary$113,362$50,974
Hourly rate$54.50$24.51
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs277,177298,152
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4444
Years of experience66

General merchandise manager vs zone manager salary

General merchandise managers and zone managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

General Merchandise ManagerZone Manager
Average salary$113,362$50,974
Salary rangeBetween $69,000 And $185,000Between $34,000 And $75,000
Highest paying City-Boston, MA
Highest paying state-Rhode Island
Best paying company-Ford Motor
Best paying industry-Automotive

Differences between general merchandise manager and zone manager education

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

General Merchandise ManagerZone Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

General merchandise manager vs zone manager demographics

Here are the differences between general merchandise managers' and zone managers' demographics:

General Merchandise ManagerZone Manager
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 45.5% Female, 54.5%Male, 68.9% Female, 31.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 6.3% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 6.3% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between general merchandise manager and zone manager duties and responsibilities

General merchandise manager example responsibilities.

  • Train and manage FOH staff and improve overall quality, organization and professionalism of restaurant and bakery.
  • Maximize sales in jewelry, electronics, home appliances, and all apparel departments.
  • Assist in all administrative responsibilities including opening and closing store, organization standards, scheduling and payroll processing.
  • Train and manage FOH staff and improve overall quality, organization and professionalism of restaurant and bakery.

Zone manager example responsibilities.

  • Level one the managed distribution side that provides DSD to independent pet stores and veterinary clinics.
  • Market growth accomplish by executing fundamental basics in store and leveraging the strength of the DSD model.
  • Establish productive working relationships with state and federal regulatory agencies, reorganize and improve operation, and achieve OSHA compliance.
  • Spearhead of new training program after recognizing inadequate materials on POS systems.
  • Supervise apparel area including jewelry and shoe departments in preparation to becoming an assistant manager.
  • Used company policies and procedures, as well as incorporating creativity to merchandise apparel departments.
    • Show more

General merchandise manager vs zone manager skills

Common general merchandise manager skills
  • Customer Service, 26%
  • Inventory Control, 10%
  • Front End, 10%
  • Sales Floor, 8%
  • Loss Prevention, 6%
  • Inventory Management, 5%
Common zone manager skills
  • Work Ethic, 18%
  • Loss Prevention, 12%
  • Inventory Control, 8%
  • Merchandise Displays, 7%
  • Sales Floor, 5%
  • Customer Complaints, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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