How to hire a service manager

How to hire a service manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step service manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a service manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new service manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a service manager do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the service manager you need to hire. Certain service manager roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A service manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, service managers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of service managers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Service Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Service Manager	Top executives devise strategies and policies to ensure that an organization meets its goals. They plan, direct, and coordinate operational activities of companies and organizations.	$22-55
   Customer Service Representative Manager	A customer service representative manager is responsible for ensuring customers' satisfaction by addressing their needs and managing their complaints about goods and services offered by the company. A customer service manager monitors staff performance, trains new customer service staff, implements strategic procedures to assist customers, allocates the department's budget and resources, creates loyalty programs, and sets customer service operations goals... Show more	$12-19
   Customer Service-Call Center Manager	A customer service/call center manager is responsible for monitoring the operations of a call center department, ensuring that the team members provide excellent customer service to the clients by responding quickly to their inquiries and concerns and providing immediate resolutions for complaints. Customer service/call center managers keep track of the staff's performance, analyzing metrics, and developing strategies to maximize productivity... Show more	$12-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • POS
   • Performance Reviews
   • Cash Handling
   • Food Handling
   • Cleanliness
   • Project Management
   • Work Ethic
   • Guest Satisfaction
   • Direct Reports
   • Payroll
   • Business Development
   • HVAC
   • Customer Complaints
   • House Training

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage compliance with all safety requirements to meet OSHA regulations.
   • Manage a staff of eight employees and maintain oversight of all departments and staff.
   • Utilize ADP software to prepare contract estimates, manage client and vehicle records, and time management.
   • Lead and consult in several projects which lead to the justification and approval of new ERP platform implementation.
   • Supervise employees and operations as well as coordinating third party vendors, manage logistics, operate and maintain all equipment.
   • Coordinate with training department to achieve and maintain the necessary skills within the region to achieve operating goals and KPIs.

   More service manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your service manager job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A service manager can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, service managers' average salary in kentucky is 51% less than in new york.
   • Seniority. Entry-level service managers 59% less than senior-level service managers.
   • Certifications. A service manager with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a service manager's salary.

   Average service manager salary

   $74,009yearly

   $35.58 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level service manager salary

   $47,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 20, 2025

   Average service manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$97,876	$47
   2	New York	$97,865	$47
   3	District of Columbia	$91,942	$44
   4	Connecticut	$88,533	$43
   5	New Jersey	$87,889	$42
   6	Washington	$86,563	$42
   7	Massachusetts	$82,928	$40
   8	Wisconsin	$79,658	$38
   9	Colorado	$79,213	$38
   10	Virginia	$76,491	$37
   11	Illinois	$74,095	$36
   12	Texas	$73,139	$35
   13	Pennsylvania	$73,079	$35
   14	Nevada	$72,863	$35
   15	North Carolina	$72,638	$35
   16	Maryland	$69,896	$34
   17	Michigan	$69,702	$34
   18	Oregon	$69,466	$33
   19	Ohio	$68,044	$33
   20	Minnesota	$66,681	$32

   Average service manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Latham & Watkins	$144,936	$69.68
   2	Boston Consulting Group	$140,710	$67.65	2
   3	AEA Investors	$136,725	$65.73	54
   4	Google	$136,169	$65.47	133
   5	Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation	$133,821	$64.34
   6	Airbnb	$131,891	$63.41
   7	Apple	$131,704	$63.32	19
   8	Hitachi Vantara	$130,873	$62.92
   9	Microsoft	$130,725	$62.85	32
   10	GoPro	$128,301	$61.68
   11	Cirrus Aircraft	$128,147	$61.61
   12	Citi	$127,415	$61.26	27
   13	Pure Storage	$127,283	$61.19	11
   14	Accenture	$127,091	$61.10	871
   15	Boehringer Ingelheim	$126,567	$60.85	11
   16	First Republic Bank	$126,409	$60.77
   17	CME Group	$125,940	$60.55
   18	Lyft	$124,452	$59.83	1
   19	RSM US	$123,866	$59.55	112
   20	eBay	$123,854	$59.55	31

4. Writing a service manager job description

   A service manager job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a service manager job description:

   Service manager job description example

   When you join Allied Universal Technology Services, you are joining one of the fastest growing security systems integrators in North America. Build your career within a fast-paced, dynamic, and diverse environment that combines leading-edge technology solutions - electronic access control, video surveillance, alarm monitoring, emergency communications, robotics, drones, and other smart tech innovative solutions - with physical security solutions to safeguard our clients and our communities.
   
   The Strategic Service Manager will be responsible for supervising a team of service technicians dedicated to the ongoing support of our existing customer base. This position will be responsible to ensure customer Service Level Agreements are being met, analyze performance matrix and customer feedback, and implement/modify processes to improve overall customer satisfaction. The Strategic Service Manager will be responsible to drive customer satisfaction while increasing overall profitability of the service group.
   
   **ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:** Those duties necessary to meet the minimum requirements of the position. Other duties may be assigned:
   
   + Create and monitor technician development/training plan; ensure we are attracting, developing, and retaining top level technicians
   
   + Interface with customers to ensure performance exceeds expectation and to make sure customers changing needs are being met
   + Monitor technician performance and drive efficient utilization
   
   **BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:** To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or experience required in order to be hired. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
   
   **Formal Education, Licenses, and Certifications Required:**
   
   + Must possess one or more of the following:
   
   + Associate's degree in electronics, business, engineering, or related field with a minimum of five (5) years of supervisory experience in a security service or related field
   
   + High school diploma or equivalent a minimum of ten (10) years of supervisory experience in a security service or related field
   
   **Type and Length of Specific Experience Required:**
   
   + Work history must demonstrate each of the following:
   
   + Strong leadership, customer service and team building skills.
   
   + Proficiency with MS Office and strong desktop PC skills.
   
   + Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
   
   + A strong understanding of business finances.
   
   **Allied Universal is an Equal Opportunity Employer.** All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/ethnicity, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or relationship/association with a protected veteran, or any other basis or characteristic protected by law. For more information: www.aus.com
   
   If you have any questions regarding Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Diversity and Inclusion, have difficulty using the online system and require an alternate method to apply, or require an accommodation at any time during the recruitment and/or employment process, please contact our local Human Resources department. To find an office near you, please visit: www.aus.com/offices .
   
   **Allied Universal is an Equal Opportunity Employer.** All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/ethnicity, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or relationship/association with a protected veteran, or any other basis or characteristic protected by law. For more information: www.aus.com
   
   If you have any questions regarding Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Diversity and Inclusion, have difficulty using the online system and require an alternate method to apply, or require an accommodation at any time during the recruitment and/or employment process, please contact our local Human Resources department. To find an office near you, please visit: www.aus.com/offices .
   
   
   **Location:** United States-California-Sunnyvale
   
   **Job Category:** Security Technology Services

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find service managers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your service manager job on Zippia to find and recruit service manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with service manager candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new service manager

   Once you've decided on a perfect service manager candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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