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Job outlook for property managers in the United States
Property manager job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected property manager job growth rate is 3% from 2018-2028.
About 11,100 new jobs for property managers are projected over the next decade.
Property manager salaries have increased 5% for property managers in the last 5 years.
There are over 124,866 property managers currently employed in the United States.
There are 15,402 active property manager job openings in the US.
The average property manager salary is $49,958.
Are property manager jobs in demand?
Property manager job and salary trends over time
Property manager jobs over time
Property manager job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 124,866 | 0.04% |
| 2020 | 116,949 | 0.03% |
| 2019 | 117,454 | 0.04% |
| 2018 | 107,771 | 0.03% |
| 2017 | 99,348 | 0.03% |
Average property manager salary over time
Property manager salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $49,958 | $24.02 | +1.5% |
| 2024 | $49,204 | $23.66 | +0.7% |
| 2023 | $48,853 | $23.49 | --0.6% |
| 2022 | $49,129 | $23.62 | +2.9% |
| 2021 | $47,764 | $22.96 | +3.0% |
Property manager jobs by state
Most common states for property managers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 185 | 27% |
| 2 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 455 | 8% |
| 3 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 587 | 6% |
| 4 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 521 | 6% |
| 5 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 411 | 6% |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 411 | 6% |
| 7 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 332 | 6% |
| 8 | California | 39,536,653 | 1,948 | 5% |
| 9 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 980 | 5% |
| 10 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 680 | 5% |
| 11 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 502 | 5% |
| 12 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 409 | 5% |
| 13 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 364 | 5% |
| 14 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 332 | 5% |
| 15 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 281 | 5% |
| 16 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 152 | 5% |
| 17 | Delaware | 961,939 | 52 | 5% |
| 18 | Alaska | 739,795 | 34 | 5% |
| 19 | New York | 19,849,399 | 826 | 4% |
| 20 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 155 | 4% |
Most common cities for property managers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Concord | 16 | 12% | $58,697 |
| 2 | Atlanta | 23 | 5% | $37,626 |
| 3 | Minneapolis | 21 | 5% | $42,982 |
| 4 | Milwaukee | 23 | 4% | $45,708 |
| 5 | Boston | 23 | 3% | $54,259 |
| 6 | Denver | 20 | 3% | $48,024 |
| 7 | Portland | 19 | 3% | $55,153 |
| 8 | Seattle | 18 | 3% | $56,610 |
| 9 | Dallas | 23 | 2% | $41,551 |
| 10 | Austin | 21 | 2% | $43,458 |
| 11 | Indianapolis | 18 | 2% | $39,124 |
| 12 | San Francisco | 15 | 2% | $58,760 |
| 13 | Columbus | 13 | 2% | $43,246 |
| 14 | Chicago | 36 | 1% | $45,924 |
| 15 | Los Angeles | 30 | 1% | $53,810 |
| 16 | San Antonio | 17 | 1% | $44,112 |
| 17 | Phoenix | 16 | 1% | $46,617 |
| 18 | Houston | 15 | 1% | $43,444 |
| 19 | Philadelphia | 14 | 1% | $53,626 |
| 20 | New York | 34 | 0% | $60,617 |
Property Manager job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of property manager experts
Weber State University
University of the Incarnate Word
Southern Illinois University
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Penn State University, Brandywine
Drake University
Montana State University Billings
Dixie State University
Eastern Michigan University
University of Michigan-Flint
Huntingdon College
Pieter Van Der Have
Chair, Construction and Building Sciences (CBS), Program Coordinator & Instructor, Facilities Management ProgramsWeber State University
Department of Construction and Building Sciences
What skills stand out on Property Manager resumes?
Pieter Van Der Have: Communication and financial/accounting skills, closely followed by an understanding of how "smart" buildings function.
What soft skills should all Property Managers possess?
Pieter Van Der Have: People skills are always important but have to be tempered by legal and fiscal accountabilities. In many cases, the p.m. may end up being a project manager responsible for managing contracts and contractors.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Property Managers?
Pieter Van Der Have: Up-to-date computer skills are certainly desirable. I don't necessarily recommend that a p.m. have plumbing or electrical skills, though a general understanding of building systems could frequently be very useful.
What skills will help Property Managers earn the most?
Pieter Van Der Have: I believe understanding the true vision/purpose and the culture of the enterprise (company) is extremely essential to a successful career. Coupled, of course, with the ability to implement long-term planning activities and processes in support (exceeding?) the vision of the enterprise.
Dr. Trey Guinn
Associate Professor and Program DirectorUniversity of the Incarnate Word
Communication Arts
What skills stand out on Property Manager resumes?
Dr. Trey Guinn: The field of communication(s) is like an enormous playground. The roles and responsibilities of professional communicators vary as much as playgrounds and the equipment they house. What seems universal is that communications managers work to advance a brand's image by developing and delivering intentional messages that effectively convey meaning with impact. Beyond that, these individuals work in various settings and perform a range of communicative tasks. Some have general oversight of an organization's internal and external communications, while others may have a narrower focus exclusively on liaising with media to gain purposeful exposure or manage crisis communication. Thus, while the role may seem straightforward, the truth is that the job description and responsibilities can vary greatly. This is important to note because the skills that should stand out on your resume must incorporate your knowledge of the industry and the nuance of the specific job to which you are applying. Sticking with our aforementioned metaphor, a hiring manager may need to know that you have a general understanding of all the toys on the playground but may be especially interested in how well you build sandcastles. Thus, it behooves you to make your resume speak to the job description. And moreover, when appropriate to do so, you would be wise to utilize language in the job description. If you are part of a "tiger team," but the job description calls for someone who has been part of a "high-performing team," accommodate your language for the reader, especially if your reader is a machine that may not be programmed to understand your jargon.
Justin Young
Assistant LecturerSouthern Illinois University
School of Communication Studies
What soft skills should all Property Managers possess?
Justin Young: Two big factors are affecting soft skill needs-diversity and remote work. As companies diversify, they need people who can deftly integrate diverse employees while keeping an open, understanding ear to those employees' needs. A background in intercultural communication and empathy is very useful here.
Along the same lines, COVID has forced many employees into remote work, and the truth is that some will never return to a traditional office schedule. Companies need communicators who can build those team dynamics when the team might be scattered across five states. Again, it's about listening to the needs and understanding that a video chat meeting is less about the tech and more about interpersonal communication and teamwork.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Property Managers?
Justin Young: I would say it's less important that someone knows the latest video editing software than they have a sound understanding of film theory. I'm more concerned that someone shooting a 30-second clip for Instagram understands how to compose a shot than they necessarily know how to integrate visual effects. That basic idea is true across the board. Technology is shifting so rapidly today that a core understanding of the principles of design, composition, and even something like UX allows a young person straight out of college to adapt over the next five years as a lot of their physical tech may phase out of use.
18-year-olds aren't using Twitter anymore, but a fundamental understanding of how algorithms work will translate to newer social platforms such as Tik-Tok.
Sherry Morreale Ph.D.
ProfessorUniversity of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Department of Communication
What hard/technical skills are most important for Property Managers?
Sherry Morreale Ph.D.: A very recent analysis of 82 million job postings uncovered a critical demand by employers for what often is referred to as durable skills (America Succeeds, 2021). By contrast to hard skills, durable skills, sometimes referred to as soft skills, comprise important professional capabilities (Leadership, Critical Thinking, Communication, etc.) and personal qualities (Creativity, Mindfulness, Fortitude, etc.) that last throughout a person's entire career. In this analysis, two key findings are:
-In the job postings, the top five durable skills were requested nearly four (3.8) times more than the top five hard skills.
-Also, Communication and Leadership were in the highest demand, requested by 50+% of postings. These two durable (soft) skills sets include the following specific knowledge and skills.
A third durable skill or competency identified in the job postings, closely related to Leadership and Communication, is Collaboration. The Collaboration knowledge and skills connected to Communication and Leadership are interpersonal communications, coordinating, teamwork, team-oriented, team leadership, collaboration, team building, cooperation, and virtual teams.
Hans Schmidt Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Communications, Coordinator, Schreyer and Cooper Honors ProgramsPenn State University, Brandywine
Communications Department
What skills stand out on Property Manager resumes?
Hans Schmidt Ph.D.: It is important to have a wide range of communication skills -from effectively participating in and leading meetings to write in style appropriate for the setting to media productions skills. When people move into the "manager" role, of course, this entails having developed a broad awareness of the culture at that particular organization and the skills needed to lead a group of people. So, really, skills related to communication touch on a wide range of job functions and responsibilities.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Property Managers?
Alanah Mitchell Ph.D.: In some cases certifications and licenses can help with possible job prospects. In general, IS education is focused on current technology processes, skills, tools, and technologies that employers are interested in. Additionally, internships during school really help to provide practical experience and increase the chances of job offers.
What soft skills should all Property Managers possess?
Samuel Isaac Boerboom Ph.D.: Conflict management, the ability to work effectively and efficiently in groups, and active listening skills, especially as these pertain to engaging audiences in virtual settings.
Dr. James Stein
Assistant Professor and Director of Interpersonal Communication CurriculumDixie State University
Communication Studies Department
What general advice would you give to a Property Manager?
Dr. James Stein: Take the job that best fits your career. I cannot tell you how many people (students, and personal friends alike) chose to turn down a career starter that pays $9 an hour in favor of a job that pays $11 and hour. As the old adage goes: penny smart, dollar foolish. You should always be asking yourself "how does this opportunity advance my larger goal?" Don't embark on an endeavor that doesn't help you, even if it does look shiny at first glance.
Dr. Jeannette Kindred Ph.D.
Professor of CommunicationEastern Michigan University
School of Communication, Media & Theatre Arts
What Property Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Jeannette Kindred Ph.D.: Networking! And by that I do not mean learn how to "schmooze" to get a job. Networking should be looked at as a lifelong mindset, and should be authentic. No matter where you are in your career, ask what can you do to enlarge your network and more importantly, how can you give to your network? The Forbes article "Lose the Schmooze: Seven Ways to Make Networking Genuine" offers some wonderful advice. I have my capstone students read it every semester.
(Forbes)
Students can enhance their networks online (via LinkedIn for example) and also through joining professional organizations and attending networking and other in person events. In the pandemic, however, this may not be possible. Students can still maintain an online presence and join professional organizations connected to their majors, and start to build connections. These organizations may even be offering virtual events in 2021.
Jeyoung (Jenny) Oh Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of CommunicationUniversity of Michigan-Flint
Department of Communication Studies
What general advice would you give to a Property Manager?
Jeyoung (Jenny) Oh Ph.D.: If you work from home, it could be hard to separate your work time from your personal time. Make sure to take some time off to take care of yourself. It is important not only for your work performance but also for your well-being. Also, remember that there are many people who are there to support you, so do not hesitate to ask for help and ask questions. Be proactive and reach out to your colleagues. Set a virtual coffee time with your colleagues or manager to get to know them. If possible, join as many virtual workshops provided to you as you can. Those will help you understand the culture of your organization, and it will also be a great way to get to know your colleagues.
What type of skills will young Property Managers need?
Elizabeth B. Rogers: Adpatilbilty. It has become apparent now, maybe more than ever, that employees are expected to do their jobs well, no matter where they are completing their tasks. New job candidates will need to show with concrete evidence that they can adapt in situations that are new or uncommon. Many recent graduates can use their transition from traditional to remote learning as significant evidence of their ability to adapt. Many students thought they were going home for a few weeks in March and then spent the rest of the spring semester online. What changes did you make when the school went virtual that helped you succeed? How did you ensure you not only got your work done but also took care of yourself? What did you learn about yourself, your habits? Many students survived a tough transition, and that is something not only to applaud but use when you are selling yourself to potential employers in interviews. Employers want to know you will adapt, so be ready to tell them how you adapted during your experience with pandemic learning.
Teamwork. You must work as part of a team. However now, consider not only traditional teams but also virtual teams. I can tell you when my teaching and staff role got moved fully online last March, I relied on my team more than ever before. I work in a team environment every day, but when virtual was all we knew, teamwork became vital for not only my success but the success of my students, co-workers, and ultimately the institution. I know students hate group projects, but group projects are the closest things to the "real" workforce some students experience. Take group work seriously so you can learn how to excel in a group setting. How do you work in a team (both traditionally and virtually)? Are you reliable? Are you a leader or a follower (both are great)? Do you manage your time wisely so you can brainstorm, work, and revise? Being part of a team was always part of the workforce, so be ready to work in teams traditionally and virtually.
Technology skills. As I am sure many of you have seen, technology is becoming an extension of all work types now. It is not enough now to say you can work the Microsoft Office Suite and can type quickly. Companies need to know that you can manage technology in real ways, especially when you are not in the office. I would suggest students take an entry-level computer class at their organization as an elective, at the very least, to have some traditional training in all things tech. If your institution does not offer computer courses, I would suggest taking a free online course to earn a certificate of some kind. Students want to list real, tangible, and legitimate computer knowledge on their resumes to make them competitive.