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How to hire a unit manager

Unit manager hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring unit managers in the United States:

  • The median cost to hire a unit manager is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per unit manager on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • There are a total of 24,320 unit managers in the US, and there are currently 366,932 job openings in this field.
  • Chicago, IL, has the highest demand for unit managers, with 18 job openings.

How to hire a unit manager, step by step

To hire a unit manager, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a unit manager:

Here's a step-by-step unit 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 unit manager job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new unit manager
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a unit manager do?

Unit managers are responsible for managing the nursing unit. They primarily supervise the daily care of patients and ensure quality patient care. Usually, they perform tasks like evaluating staff performance, conducting orientation for new staff, and training new members. Also, they manage schedules, minimize expenditures, and enforce health as well as safety regulations. Unit managers are registered nursing professionals with an undergraduate or graduate degree. They are honest, adaptable, and analytical professionals with strong management and leadership skills and relevant experience in nursing and patient assessment.

Learn more about the specifics of what a unit manager does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you start hiring a unit manager, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    Hiring the perfect unit manager also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

    This list shows salaries for various types of unit managers.

    Type of Unit ManagerDescriptionHourly rate
    Unit ManagerTop executives devise strategies and policies to ensure that an organization meets its goals. They plan, direct, and coordinate operational activities of companies and organizations.$18-46
    Manager, Center OperationsThe duties of a manager of center operations depend on one's industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around overseeing business operations, setting targets, assessing the workforce's performance, and performing corrective measures on any issues or concerns... Show more$18-46
    General Manager Of OperationsGeneral managers of operations are employed to oversee the overall operations of businesses. Their responsibilities include the improvement of the efficiency of the operations and overall management... Show more$23-79
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Quality Care
    • Patients
    • Federal Regulations
    • Resident Care
    • Customer Service
    • Compassion
    • Rehabilitation
    • Quality Standards
    • Good Judgment
    • Cleanliness
    • Staff Development
    • Infection Control
    • Direct Supervision
    • Work Ethic
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Develop corporate culture utilizing skills attain through ERP and TQM management training.
    • Set and achieve goal of entire staff certification in ACLS and EKG interpretation.
    • Manage departmental resources, staffing plans, KPIs, strategic initiatives, and budget.
    • Enhance scheduling visibility to reduce age work-in-progress (WIP) and achieve EBIT goal.
    • Lead and manage the delivery of patient-care to a 50 patient unit in a LTC facility.
    • Achieve all major milestones in preparation for major ERP system upgrade and cultural change for organization.
    More unit manager duties
  3. Make a budget

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

    • Location. For example, unit managers' average salary in mississippi is 60% less than in new jersey.
    • Seniority. Entry-level unit managers 60% less than senior-level unit managers.
    • Certifications. A unit 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 unit manager's salary.

    Average unit manager salary

    $60,561yearly

    $29.12 hourly rate

    Entry-level unit manager salary
    $38,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 14, 2025

    Average unit manager salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$81,578$39
    2New York$80,464$39
    3Colorado$80,250$39
    4Washington$76,527$37
    5Massachusetts$74,165$36
    6Illinois$68,497$33
    7Pennsylvania$68,011$33
    8Michigan$65,404$31
    9Oregon$63,982$31
    10Arizona$63,225$30
    11Kansas$62,662$30
    12North Carolina$58,003$28
    13Ohio$57,148$27
    14Indiana$57,064$27
    15Missouri$55,968$27
    16Minnesota$55,669$27
    17Nebraska$52,823$25
    18Texas$52,679$25
    19West Virginia$51,997$25
    20Florida$51,457$25

    Average unit manager salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Microsoft$131,519$63.2388
    2Boston Partners In Education$103,864$49.93
    3State Street$100,504$48.32
    4Halliburton$100,101$48.136
    5Metropolitan Water District of Southern California$96,960$46.62
    6Providence Life Services$94,236$45.31
    7Hca Hospital Services Of San Diego$89,949$43.24
    8Baystate Health$89,408$42.986
    9BWX Technologies$88,727$42.6615
    10Mayo Clinic$86,899$41.7824
    11McDermott International$86,041$41.37
    12University of California-Berkeley$85,925$41.311
    13Holzer Health System$85,898$41.30
    14RadNet$85,480$41.10
    15University of California$84,866$40.8019
    16Parkland Hospital$84,512$40.636
    17Chubb$83,956$40.363
    18BridgePoint Healthcare$83,832$40.304
    19Carrier$83,788$40.2811
    20The Hanover Insurance Group$82,050$39.453
  4. Writing a unit manager job description

    A unit 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. To help get you started, here's an example of a unit manager job description:

    Unit manager job description example

    $10K Sign-On Bonus

    Our mission is to provide our residents and their families with superior care delivered by staff dedicated to the principles of kindness, compassion, service, and excellence in an environment where individuality, dignity, and value of those who are served, as well as those who serve, is nurtured and appreciated. We believe that life, at all stages and with all of its challenges, is a precious gift to be shared and celebrated. It is our privilege to participate in the lives of our residents, their friends, and families by offering them not only physical but emotional care, comfort, and support.

    At National Health Care Associates…We Touch People's Lives.

    · What We Offer:

    · · An engaging and supportive work environment where every employee is valued, a rewarding career, and outstanding benefits which currently include:

    · · · Medical/RX plans HMO's & HSA

    · · · Multiple Dental Plans

    · · · Vision Plan

    · · · Paid STD with voluntary buy-up

    · · · Paid Life Insurance with voluntary buy-up & dependent coverage

    · · · LTD coverage

    · · · 401(k)

    What You Will Do:

    Makes decisions relevant to the operation and management of the facility during the assigned shift.

    Verifies that the resident's physician and family are notified when there is a significant clinical development in the resident's condition or if the resident requires immediate medical care.

    Directs proper handling of resident care emergencies.

    Assumes other duties as assigned by ADNS.

    What You Will Need:

    Interest in the needs of the aged and the chronically ill with the ability to work with both.

    Registered Nurse licensed in the State of employment. Minimum of one year of education or experience in geriatric nursing or rehabilitation preferred.

    Knowledge of nursing theory and practice including the administration of medications.

    Diversity, Inclusion, & Engagement at National Health Care Associates:

    At National Health Care Associates, we not only accept difference, we promote it, we embrace it, and we thrive on it for the betterment of our patients, our employees, and our culture.

    We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected under applicable law.

  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right unit manager for your business:

    • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your unit manager job on Zippia to find and recruit unit manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with unit 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.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates 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 unit manager

    Once you've decided on a perfect unit 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 good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    To prepare for the new unit manager first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  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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How much does it cost to hire a unit manager?

Hiring a unit manager comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting unit managers involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of unit manager recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

You can expect to pay around $60,561 per year for a unit manager, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for unit managers in the US typically range between $18 and $46 an hour.

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