How Much Money Can You Make in Management?

Management positions can pay high wages.

In many types of businesses, workers aim to get ahead by moving into management. Managers oversee and direct departments, such as finance or sales. The amount managers make depends on job title, the industry and location.

Chief Executives

Chief executives are typically at the top of the corporate ladder, directing and overseeing all activities within a company to ensure that the business meets its goals under the guidelines established by the board of directors. These executives earned an average salary of $167,280 in the United States as of May 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those in the industry of the management of companies and enterprises earned an average of $197,230 a year, and the highest salaries were earned by those working in securities and commodity contracts intermediation and brokerage, where the average income was $220,180 per year. Delaware was the top paying state for chief executives with a salary average of $201,460 annually.

General and Operations Managers

General and operations managers work in both the public and private sector. The average income of a general and operations manager in the U.S. was $110,550 as of 2009, according to the bureau. Those working in the management of companies and enterprises earned an average of $134,590 a year, while the highest wages were in the industry of financial investment activities, where managers earned an average of $173,120 a year. New Jersey offered the highest salary average of all states for general and operations managers at $157,050 annually.

Financial Managers

Financial managers direct all activities related to a company's finances, including accounting, investing and insurance. These managers earned an average of $113,730 a year as of 2009, according to the bureau. In the management of companies and enterprises, the average was $130,700, while those in the industry of depository credit intermediation earned less at $92,110 annually. The top paying industry for financial managers was financial investment activities, with a salary average of $165,160, while the top paying state was New York with a salary average of $148,070.

Advertising and Promotions Managers

Advertising and promotions managers are responsible for directing all activities that serve to create interest in their companies' products and/or services. They earned an average income of $97,670 as of 2009, with the majority working in the industry of advertising, public relations and related services for an average of $124,490 a year. Those working in the management of companies and enterprises earned an average of $100,350 annually, while electrical and electronic goods merchant wholesalers offered the highest salary average at $130,480. New York was the top paying state for advertising and promotions managers, with a salary average of $143,940 a year.

Administrative Services Managers

Administrative services managers direct the support services of their businesses, such bookkeeping and mail distribution. The average income of an administrative services manager was $81,530 a year as of 2009, according to the bureau. Those working for local government earned an average of $78,160 a year, while those in the management of companies and enterprises earned an average of $99,160. The highest paying industry for these managers was petroleum and coal products manufacturing, with a salary average of $132,700, and the top paying state was Rhode Island, with a salary average of $104,890.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Chief Executives Wages, May 2009
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: General and Operations Managers Wages, May 2009
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Financial Managers Wages, May 2009
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Advertising and Promotions Managers Wages, May 2009
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Administrative Services Managers Wages, May 2009