How to Become a Manager?
Are you thinking of becoming a Manager or already started your career and planning the next step? Learn how to become a Manager, what skills you need to succeed, how to advance your career and get promoted, and what levels of pay to expect at each step on your career path. Explore new Manager job openings and options for career transitions into related roles.
Steps to Become a Manager
If you're considering starting your Manager career path, it's important to note the skills, qualifications, and time it takes to become a professional Manager and how to advance your career path. Below are the steps generally required to begin and advance your Manager career.Contents
1
Earn a Degree
To begin your Manager career path, a Bachelor's Degree in Business or a related field is usually necessary in order to remain a competitive option for employers. Focus on industry-specific skill development during your education in order to be properly equipped when applying for entry-level positions and entering the job force. A Manager internship may be required to earn your Bachelor's Degree and acquire necessary on-the-job skills before entering the workforce.What type of degree should you pursue to become a Manager?
59% of people working as a Manager earned a Bachelor's Degree
What skills do you need to be a Manager?
- Excellent Communication
- Oracle Identity Management
- Configuration
- Microsoft Office Suite
- CISSP CISM
- Leadership
- Powerpoint
- Cloud
2
Choose a Specialty in Your Field
As an Manager, you may be required to choose a specialty within your field. Determine which part of the Manager field you feel strongest in, and continue taking active steps toward growing in your chosen Manager specialty.3
Get an Entry-Level Position as a Manager
Once you've acquired a Bachelor's Degree in Business or a related field, you'll typically begin your career as an entry-level Manager. In general, you can become a Manager after completing your 4 year Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline. Depending on the type of Manager role you’re pursuing, you may want to explore certification in certified pool operator.4
Advance in Your Manager Career
Following entry-level, there are several Manager career path levels to advance into. It can take 2 years as an entry-level Manager to progress to the senior manager position. Each advanced Manager position requires approximately 2 years of experience at each level to advance in your Manager career path. It may be necessary to receive additional education, an advanced degree such as a Master's Degree in a related field, or special certifications in order to advance your Manager career path.5
Continued Education for Your Manager Career Path
Not all industries and companies require continued education to advance your Manager career path. However, earning this degree may help you advance to higher-earning positions more quickly. Earning a Graduate Degree in Business can take 4 years to complete. People that have earned their Graduate Degree typically make $156,728 compared to $41,186 for those without that type of degree.Manager Career Path
Manager
2 - 4Years of Experience
$57K - $99K /yrMost Likely Range
Senior Manager
2 - 4Years of Experience
$150K - $241K /yrMost Likely Range
Lead Manager
5 - 7Years of Experience
$54K - $93K /yrMost Likely Range
Total Pay Trajectory
Manager Career Path
Manager I
Manager
Assistant Supervisor
Senior Manager
Lead Manager
Assistant Chief Manager
Manager V
Assistant Director
Senior Principal Manager
Associate Director
Head Manager
Senior Director
$30K
$112K
$194K
$276K
$440K
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Related Careers in the Business Industry
Interested in other Business careers? Below are occupations that have high affinity with Manager skills. Discover some of the most common Manager career transitions, along with skills overlap.