P&L owner for a business unit, location, or product line.
Pay scales steeply with tenure for General Managers. National figures, before regional adjustments.
| Experience | Median 2026 | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (0–1 yr) | $90,500 | $63,100 | $124,700 |
| Junior (2–4 yrs) | $112,500 | $78,400 | $155,000 |
| Mid-Level (5–9 yrs) | $129,400 | $90,200 | $178,200 |
| Senior (10–14 yrs) | $155,200 | $108,200 | $213,800 |
| Veteran (15+ yrs) | $175,900 | $122,600 | $242,300 |
Top 10 states by median General Manager salary in 2026.
| State | Median | 25th % | 75th % | vs Nat'l |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington DC | $181,200 | $137,700 | $235,600 | +40% |
| Massachusetts | $168,300 | $127,900 | $218,700 | +30% |
| Washington | $168,300 | $127,900 | $218,700 | +30% |
| New Jersey | $163,100 | $123,900 | $212,000 | +26% |
| California | $161,800 | $123,000 | $210,300 | +25% |
| New York | $161,800 | $123,000 | $210,300 | +25% |
| Connecticut | $156,600 | $119,000 | $203,600 | +21% |
| Maryland | $155,300 | $118,000 | $201,900 | +20% |
| Colorado | $151,400 | $115,100 | $196,900 | +17% |
| Hawaii | $147,500 | $112,100 | $191,800 | +14% |
| State | Median | 25th % | 75th % | vs Nat'l |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $110,000 | $83,600 | $143,000 | -15% |
| North Dakota | $108,700 | $82,600 | $141,300 | -16% |
| Oklahoma | $108,700 | $82,600 | $141,300 | -16% |
| Wyoming | $108,700 | $82,600 | $141,300 | -16% |
| Alabama | $107,400 | $81,600 | $139,700 | -17% |
| Louisiana | $107,400 | $81,600 | $139,700 | -17% |
| Arkansas | $103,500 | $78,700 | $134,600 | -20% |
| South Dakota | $103,500 | $78,700 | $134,600 | -20% |
| Mississippi | $101,000 | $76,700 | $131,200 | -22% |
| West Virginia | $101,000 | $76,700 | $131,200 | -22% |
Metro-level pay frequently outpaces state averages — major metros concentrate higher wages.
Click any state for detailed breakdown by experience level and percentile.
The median is just a benchmark. Your exact market value also depends on your state, experience, and education. Use the free calculator for a personalized number.
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