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Store manager vs general manager

The differences between store managers and general managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a store manager and a general manager. Additionally, a general manager has an average salary of $71,581, which is higher than the $46,950 average annual salary of a store manager.

The top three skills for a store manager include store management, retail store and customer service. The most important skills for a general manager are customer service, cleanliness, and food safety.

Store manager vs general manager overview

Store ManagerGeneral Manager
Yearly salary$46,950$71,581
Hourly rate$22.57$34.41
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs446,127442,690
Job satisfaction54.25
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age4444
Years of experience66

What does a store manager do?

A store manager is responsible for monitoring the daily operations, making sure of its smooth and efficient performance with the best services provided to the customers. Store managers' duty also includes tracking the budget of the store to ensure that all expenses are meeting the sales goals. A store manager must also be able to plan and share strategies to boost sales performance and provide the needed support for the employees by communicating with them regularly, listening on suggestions, and taking necessary actions for complaints as required.

What does a general manager do?

A general manager is responsible for handling the overall operations in the business. General managers manage the staff tasks efficiently, monitor the productivity and efficiency of the work environment, implement new strategies to improve the business performance, recognize the team's best efforts, and effective allocation of budget resources. A general manager must have excellent communication, decision-making, and critical-thinking skills to identify areas of improvement in handling customer complaints, connecting with vendors and other lines of businesses that will direct the company towards its successful objectives.

Store manager vs general manager salary

Store managers and general managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Store ManagerGeneral Manager
Average salary$46,950$71,581
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $73,000Between $40,000 And $126,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateDelawareHawaii
Best paying companyMetaNVIDIA
Best paying industryManufacturingManufacturing

Differences between store manager and general manager education

There are a few differences between a store manager and a general manager in terms of educational background:

Store ManagerGeneral Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Store manager vs general manager demographics

Here are the differences between store managers' and general managers' demographics:

Store ManagerGeneral Manager
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 51.2% Female, 48.8%Male, 70.7% Female, 29.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 6.3% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between store manager and general manager duties and responsibilities

Store manager example responsibilities.

  • Store achieve highest UPT in company for FY11.
  • Assist the DM and help to manage the district in her absence.
  • Manage the store's inventory with GNC guidelines; receiving, checking and shelving all merchandising orders.
  • Train and develop to manage multi-unit operations.
  • Create implementation plans to support execution of Starbucks initiatives to achieve both operational excellence and business results.
  • Develop and implement operational strategies utilizing less payroll expenses and allot hour usage to accomplish logistical and operational excellence.
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General manager example responsibilities.

  • Generate positive EBITDA and improve cash flow by managing costs and inventory.
  • Manage all recruiting and training efforts, and develop systems to track ROI comparison results.
  • Work as a FOH AGM and train to manage all staff functions including training, hiring, food and labor controls.
  • Develop yearly budget for multiple hotels that include revenue, labor, fix and variable costs to achieve overall EBITDA goal.
  • Task primarily with building logistics infrastructure, managing operational expenses, and supporting start up strategies.
  • Train and manage FOH staff and improve overall quality, organization and professionalism of restaurant and bakery.
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Store manager vs general manager skills

Common store manager skills
  • Store Management, 8%
  • Retail Store, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • PET, 5%
  • Loss Prevention, 5%
  • Sales Floor, 4%
Common general manager skills
  • Customer Service, 20%
  • Cleanliness, 18%
  • Food Safety, 7%
  • Guest Service, 4%
  • Payroll, 4%
  • Math, 4%

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