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What is a management trainee and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
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A management trainee serves as an entry-level position in a company's management program. They receive on-the-job training from experienced managers to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for a management role. Management trainees may rotate through various departments to gain a broad understanding of its operations. They also attend workshops to develop leadership, decision-making, and management skills. In addition, they may assist with analyzing data, preparing reports, managing projects, and supervising staff.

ScoreManagement TraineeUS Average
Salary
3.8

Avg. Salary $48,477

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
9.4

Growth rate -8%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
8.3
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.66%

Asian 7.57%

Black or African American 9.58%

Hispanic or Latino 15.53%

Unknown 4.72%

White 61.94%

Gender

female 38.19%

male 61.81%

Age - 42
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42
Stress level
9.4

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
5.2

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.6

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a management trainee?

Pros

  • Exposure to senior management and decision-making processes

  • Fast-track career progression and potential for promotion

  • Competitive salary and benefits package

  • Chance to work on high-profile projects

  • Potential for international travel and assignments

Cons

  • May have to relocate frequently or work in different locations

  • Starting salary may be lower than other entry-level positions in the industry

  • May have to work on weekends or holidays

  • May have to perform mundane tasks as part of the learning process

  • Potential for burnout due to the demanding nature of the job

Management trainee career paths

Key steps to become a management trainee

  1. Explore management trainee education requirements

    Most common management trainee degrees

    Bachelor's

    81.3 %

    Master's

    7.5 %

    Associate

    5.7 %
  2. Start to develop specific management trainee skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Enterprise Management13.92%
    Management Training10.99%
    Customer Service8.62%
    Product Knowledge7.75%
    Cash Management4.56%
  3. Complete relevant management trainee training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New management trainees learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a management trainee based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real management trainee resumes.
  4. Gain additional management trainee certifications

    Management trainee certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific management trainee certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for management trainees include Certified Professional - Human Resource (IPMA-CP) and Certified Building Service Executive (CBSE).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research management trainee duties and responsibilities

    • Manage internal marketing programs including telemarketing and email campaigns to increase customer activity.
    • Manage payroll, payments, social security calculations, all administrative functions and vacation rolls coordination.
    • Develop management and leadership principles while managing, training, and motivating employees in fast-pace, high-volume sales/customer service business.
    • Develop workforce management, inventory management, leadership, time-management and prioritization skills through working closely with store and department management.
  6. Prepare your management trainee resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your management trainee resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a management trainee resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable management trainee resume templates

    Build a professional management trainee resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your management trainee resume.
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  7. Apply for management trainee jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a management trainee job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first management trainee job

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Average management trainee salary

The average management trainee salary in the United States is $48,477 per year or $23 per hour. Management trainee salaries range between $38,000 and $61,000 per year.

Average management trainee salary
$48,477 Yearly
$23.31 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.