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The differences between shift managers and department managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a shift manager, becoming a department manager takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a department manager has an average salary of $67,160, which is higher than the $32,110 average annual salary of a shift manager.
The top three skills for a shift manager include cleanliness, inventory management and management. The most important skills for a department manager are inventory management, sales promotions, and cleanliness.
| Shift Manager | Department Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $32,110 | $67,160 |
| Hourly rate | $15.44 | $32.29 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 335,517 | 330,327 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 34% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Average age | 39 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
Shift managers are employees assigned to oversee the operations of the business during a specific time or work shift. They manage the employees assigned in a particular shift and ensure that the employees are working on their specific tasks. They also ensure that the needed manpower is met. Shift managers are also in charge of checking the sales, ensuring that the finances are properly balanced, and maintaining records during the work shift. They also respond to any challenges that may occur during the time period. Shift managers should have good organization skills, decision-making skills, and interpersonal skills.
Department managers oversee the operations of the department they are assigned to. They manage all aspects of the operation, including finance, sales, quality control, and human resources. They set department goals and the steps the team needs to take to ensure that the goals are met. Department managers are also in charge of training team members so that these team members will be able to work together harmoniously. They should also be able to keep the team's goal in sight and adjust their strategy as needed.
Shift managers and department managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Shift Manager | Department Manager | |
| Average salary | $32,110 | $67,160 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $43,000 | Between $39,000 And $115,000 |
| Highest paying City | Los Angeles, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | California | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | ABB | Ralph Lauren |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a shift manager and a department manager in terms of educational background:
| Shift Manager | Department Manager | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 34% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Cornell University | SUNY College of Technology at Delhi |
Here are the differences between shift managers' and department managers' demographics:
| Shift Manager | Department Manager | |
| Average age | 39 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 43.1% Female, 56.9% | Male, 51.8% Female, 48.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 8.2% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 9% |