Do manager trainees get paid?

Yes, manager trainees typically get paid. Manager trainees are usually pulled from the current pool of employees to be mentored and supervised by the manager or executives in a company. The goal is to acquire all the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to become a manager. You might find yourself interning in different departments to learn about all the other parts of the company and how they come together to function as one.

What is a manager trainee and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Steve Wages Ph.D.

A manager trainee undergoes a comprehensive training program to prepare them for a management position. They work under the guidance of experienced managers to learn about various aspects of the business, such as customer service, sales, operations, and team management. Manager trainees may also complete assignments and projects related to their training, attend training sessions, and collaborate with other trainees. A manager trainee aims to gain the skills and knowledge to become an effective leader.

What general advice would you give to a manager trainee?

Steve Wages Ph.D.

Director, Cloverdale Center for Youth and Family, Faulkner University

As soon as possible, establish a formal mentoring relationship with someone who is seasoned in pastoral counseling. Generally, the research demonstrates that the performance of employees with mentors is of a higher quality, they advance in their responsibilities and careers faster, and they avoid common mistakes exhibited by other employees. Establish short-term goals (6 months) for your position and a plan for overcoming obstacles; then ask your mentor to hold you accountable for implementing your plan. As part of your self-care. you also need to be proactive in developing a few close friendships, perhaps including colleagues, who can be a source of emotional support and encouragement to you personally.

You should be confident in your training while also being realistic and transparent about your limitations. There is still a lot that you do not know and much you will learn with experience. Until then, be willing to say "I don't know" when faced with problems you have not addressed before. Then commit to learning more about the issue through personal study and/or consulting with a more experienced colleague or mentor. In some cases, you may need to invite a more experienced counselor to meet with a client or where appropriate refer them to someone else.

You need to equip yourself to address structural changes to the delivery of pastoral care and counseling as a consequence of the pandemic. You will need to adapt to providing pastoral counseling virtually perhaps via Zoom sessions. Give thought as to how the virtual context impacts the counseling process and the spiritual resources you employ. For example, if you are comfortable praying with a client in your office, will you be equally inclined to pray with them online or over a phone. In light of the pandemic, Dr. Chuck Lawless noted, "Good pastoral care has required being more proactive than reactive." Ordinarily, pastoral counselors are reactive in that they respond to needs when they hear about them or when they are

ScoreManager TraineeUS Average

Salary

3.8

Avg. Salary $49,193

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

9.4

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

8.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.66%

Asian 7.31%

Black or African American 9.11%

Hispanic or Latino 16.40%

Unknown 4.69%

White 61.84%

Gender

female 36.83%

male 63.17%

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 manager trainee?

Pros

Possibility of fast-track career development
Opportunity to work with a team and build relationships
Potential for higher salary and benefits once promoted to manager
Chance to gain industry-specific knowledge and expertise
Possibility of job security and stability

Cons

Limited decision-making power as a trainee
Need to follow strict company policies and procedures
Potential for difficult or demanding managers or team members
Limited work-life balance, especially during the training period
Possibility of relocation for job opportunities

Key steps to become a manager trainee

Explore manager trainee education requirements

Most common manager trainee degrees

Bachelor's

63.3 %

Associate

15.0 %

High School Diploma

12.8 %

Start to develop specific manager trainee skills

Skills	Percentages
Management	29.70%
Management Position	19.58%
Store Management	16.79%
Inventory Management	15.68%
Leadership	4.71%

Complete relevant manager trainee training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New managers trainee 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 manager trainee based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real manager trainee resumes.

Gain additional manager trainee certifications

Manager 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 manager trainee certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for managers trainee include Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Certified Sales Professional (CSP).

More About Certifications

Research manager trainee duties and responsibilities

Manage the appearance of the store in conjunction with the store priorities to present a desirable image of Aldi.
Work in a fast-pace environment where multitasking and stress management is essential.
Improve sanitation, cleanliness, and customer experience exceeding such levels maintain by previous management.
Train within the organization on various aspects regarding leadership, merchandising, customer service, inventory, profit/loss and civic responsibility.

Prepare your manager trainee resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your manager 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 manager 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 manager trainee resume templates

Build a professional manager 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 manager trainee resume.