General and operations managers
May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
General and Operations Managers: Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of companies or public and private sector organizations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Include owners and managers who head small business establishments whose duties are primarily managerial.
Top executives held about 2.3 million jobs in 2004. Employment by detailed occupation was distributed as follows:
| General and operations managers | 1,807,000 |
| Chief executives | 444,000 |
| Legislators | 66,000 |
Top executives are found in every industry, but service-providing industries, including government, employ 8 out of 10.
Top executives are among the highest paid workers in the U.S. economy. However, salary levels vary substantially depending on the level of managerial responsibility; length of service; and type, size, and location of the firm. For example, a top manager in a very large corporation can earn significantly more than a counterpart in a small firm.
Median annual earnings of general and operations managers in May 2004 were $77,420. The middle 50 percent earned between $52,420 and $118,310. Because the specific responsibilities of general and operations managers vary significantly within industries, earnings also tend to vary considerably. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of general and operations managers in May 2004 were:
| Computer systems design and related services | $117,730 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 99,670 |
| Building equipment contractors | 83,080 |
| Depository credit intermediation | 76,060 |
| Local government | 68,590 |
Median annual earnings of chief executives in May 2004 were $140,350; although chief executives in some industries earned considerably more.
Salaries vary substantially by type and level of responsibilities and by industry. According to a 2005 survey by Abbott, Langer, and Associates, the median income of chief executive officers in the nonprofit sector was $88,006 in 2005, but some of the highest paid made more than $700,000.
In addition to salaries, total compensation often includes stock options, dividends, and other performance bonuses. The use of executive dining rooms and company aircraft and cars, expense allowances, and company-paid insurance premiums and physical examinations also are among benefits commonly enjoyed by top executives in private industry. A number of chief executive officers also are provided with company-paid club memberships and other amenities.
(from the Occupational Outlook Handbook: Top Executives)
See more recent statistics for employed workers below.
May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
National Occupational Employment and Earnings by Industry (NAICS sector and 3-digit industry group)
| General and operations managers | |||||
| Percentile earnings distribution | |||||
| 10th | 25th | 50th | 75th | 90th | |
| Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting employment: 3,340 mean earnings: $80,490 (def) (IG) | $37,170 | $49,230 | $68,710 | $102,690 | $141,300 |
| Forestry and Logging employment: 950 mean earnings: $78,230 | $39,550 | $50,070 | $65,420 | $99,680 | $125,800 |
| Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry employment: 2,390 mean earnings: $81,390 | $36,250 | $48,760 | $70,300 | $104,410 | $143,420 |
| Mining employment: 14,420 mean earnings: $100,540 (EC) (def) (IG) | $40,190 | $60,020 | $85,720 | $134,250 | >$145K |
| Oil and Gas Extraction employment: 5,210 mean earnings: $120,200 | $41,800 | $66,750 | $112,870 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Mining (except Oil and Gas) employment: 3,350 mean earnings: $90,450 | $42,190 | $60,260 | $82,140 | $110,810 | >$145K |
| Support Activities for Mining employment: 5,870 mean earnings: $88,840 | $36,800 | $55,420 | $76,780 | $111,220 | >$145K |
| Utilities employment: 9,520 mean earnings: $97,430 (EC) (def) (IG) | $50,220 | $68,720 | $90,760 | $117,300 | >$145K |
| Utilities employment: 9,520 mean earnings: $97,430 | $50,220 | $68,720 | $90,760 | $117,300 | >$145K |
| Construction employment: 123,760 mean earnings: $99,880 (EC) (def) (IG) | $43,900 | $59,170 | $85,630 | $130,840 | >$145K |
| Construction of Buildings employment: 33,150 mean earnings: $108,730 | $47,290 | $65,970 | $93,770 | $145,530 | >$145K |
| Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction employment: 17,190 mean earnings: $104,920 | $44,710 | $62,860 | $90,930 | $139,750 | >$145K |
| Specialty Trade Contractors employment: 73,410 mean earnings: $94,710 | $42,270 | $56,410 | $80,840 | $119,760 | >$145K |
| Manufacturing employment: 190,230 mean earnings: $107,200 (EC) (def) (IG) | $50,020 | $68,050 | $95,130 | $138,560 | >$145K |
| Food Manufacturing employment: 14,120 mean earnings: $96,520 | $45,080 | $60,430 | $84,800 | $120,020 | >$145K |
| Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing employment: 2,470 mean earnings: $103,290 | $46,820 | $61,920 | $91,070 | $134,980 | >$145K |
| Textile Mills employment: 3,170 mean earnings: $104,770 | $50,340 | $65,900 | $91,800 | $134,060 | >$145K |
| Textile Product Mills employment: 2,330 mean earnings: $95,180 | $40,980 | $57,200 | $83,480 | $122,870 | >$145K |
| Apparel Manufacturing employment: 3,480 mean earnings: $113,590 | $47,960 | $62,700 | $97,750 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing employment: 440 mean earnings: $96,760 | $42,750 | $56,530 | $84,060 | $128,000 | >$145K |
| Wood Product Manufacturing employment: 7,730 mean earnings: $91,440 | $41,970 | $55,270 | $79,160 | $113,790 | >$145K |
| Paper Manufacturing employment: 6,180 mean earnings: $117,850 | $58,970 | $78,210 | $109,120 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Printing and Related Support Activities employment: 10,930 mean earnings: $108,050 | $49,660 | $66,540 | $92,570 | $143,840 | >$145K |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing employment: 1,380 mean earnings: $116,370 | $53,510 | $76,530 | $104,270 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Chemical Manufacturing employment: 13,460 mean earnings: $119,350 | $56,900 | $79,190 | $110,650 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing employment: 10,530 mean earnings: $104,270 | $50,870 | $67,760 | $92,670 | $131,630 | >$145K |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing employment: 7,850 mean earnings: $96,010 | $46,290 | $60,720 | $84,280 | $119,890 | >$145K |
| Primary Metal Manufacturing employment: 4,680 mean earnings: $109,050 | $55,660 | $73,920 | $97,230 | $137,430 | >$145K |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing employment: 27,880 mean earnings: $102,240 | $49,500 | $65,180 | $89,780 | $129,360 | >$145K |
| Machinery Manufacturing employment: 18,140 mean earnings: $109,230 | $54,680 | $72,810 | $98,100 | $138,370 | >$145K |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing employment: 17,650 mean earnings: $126,030 | $64,480 | $86,910 | $118,780 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing employment: 5,120 mean earnings: $114,740 | $56,900 | $75,740 | $103,800 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Transportation Equipment Manufacturing employment: 13,350 mean earnings: $105,100 | $53,430 | $70,480 | $94,690 | $130,680 | >$145K |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing employment: 7,830 mean earnings: $95,110 | $43,070 | $57,690 | $82,140 | $121,970 | >$145K |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing employment: 11,530 mean earnings: $108,340 | $44,500 | $64,690 | $94,540 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Wholesale Trade employment: 131,110 mean earnings: $106,700 (EC) (def) (IG) | $46,720 | $63,230 | $91,330 | $144,280 | >$145K |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods employment: 75,460 mean earnings: $106,980 | $47,770 | $64,140 | $90,840 | $144,340 | >$145K |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods employment: 40,740 mean earnings: $104,130 | $44,280 | $60,610 | $89,730 | $140,270 | >$145K |
| Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers employment: 14,900 mean earnings: $112,310 | $47,810 | $66,050 | $99,470 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Retail Trade employment: 229,720 mean earnings: $77,350 (EC) (def) (IG) | $33,180 | $44,350 | $62,800 | $92,220 | >$145K |
| Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers employment: 38,740 mean earnings: $105,230 | $40,090 | $55,500 | $87,480 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Furniture and Home Furnishings Stores employment: 12,020 mean earnings: $81,520 | $37,090 | $48,220 | $65,560 | $98,840 | >$145K |
| Electronics and Appliance Stores employment: 10,350 mean earnings: $89,810 | $38,230 | $52,420 | $76,190 | $114,010 | >$145K |
| Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers employment: 24,050 mean earnings: $73,090 | $36,330 | $44,190 | $61,230 | $85,950 | $132,190 |
| Food and Beverage Stores employment: 35,890 mean earnings: $67,550 | $33,630 | $44,290 | $59,440 | $79,570 | $108,610 |
| Health and Personal Care Stores employment: 21,810 mean earnings: $63,130 | $29,410 | $33,640 | $49,460 | $72,750 | $120,870 |
| Gasoline Stations employment: 9,190 mean earnings: $61,830 | $27,040 | $35,200 | $49,910 | $72,430 | $113,140 |
| Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores employment: 17,620 mean earnings: $69,800 | $33,330 | $40,600 | $53,360 | $81,990 | $138,380 |
| Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book, and Music Stores employment: 11,140 mean earnings: $66,890 | $34,200 | $44,570 | $58,300 | $76,510 | $109,870 |
| General Merchandise Stores employment: 24,020 mean earnings: $71,920 | $29,360 | $47,360 | $66,670 | $89,480 | $116,750 |
| Miscellaneous Store Retailers employment: 15,960 mean earnings: $72,900 | $33,910 | $43,890 | $58,100 | $86,700 | $140,210 |
| Nonstore Retailers employment: 8,950 mean earnings: $88,430 | $36,530 | $50,630 | $73,420 | $116,030 | >$145K |
| Transportation and Warehousing employment: 50,130 mean earnings: $89,520 (EC) (def) (IG) | $40,770 | $54,610 | $75,900 | $110,770 | >$145K |
| Air Transportation employment: 2,350 mean earnings: $94,060 | $42,600 | $57,850 | $80,160 | $115,340 | >$145K |
| Rail Transportation employment: 850 mean earnings: $101,310 | $47,960 | $62,710 | $90,680 | $128,200 | >$145K |
| Water Transportation employment: 1,160 mean earnings: $101,990 | $51,740 | $65,610 | $88,470 | $120,130 | >$145K |
| Truck Transportation employment: 17,880 mean earnings: $83,830 | $38,110 | $51,330 | $70,170 | $101,350 | >$145K |
| Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation employment: 3,950 mean earnings: $79,280 | $35,990 | $47,300 | $65,430 | $94,620 | >$145K |
| Pipeline Transportation employment: 940 mean earnings: $97,860 | $43,780 | $63,860 | $89,600 | $123,770 | >$145K |
| Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation employment: 450 mean earnings: $83,430 | $33,890 | $49,590 | $69,520 | $100,890 | >$145K |
| Support Activities for Transportation employment: 12,320 mean earnings: $97,760 | $44,510 | $58,580 | $81,810 | $127,280 | >$145K |
| Postal Service employment: 610 mean earnings: $106,620 | $72,440 | $80,720 | $96,600 | $122,200 | >$145K |
| Couriers and Messengers employment: 3,190 mean earnings: $86,810 | $38,530 | $56,970 | $78,410 | $106,490 | >$145K |
| Warehousing and Storage employment: 6,430 mean earnings: $89,300 | $44,330 | $57,340 | $78,280 | $107,340 | >$145K |
| Information employment: 51,060 mean earnings: $113,460 (EC) (def) (IG) | $45,120 | $67,980 | $103,020 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Publishing Industries (except Internet) employment: 15,500 mean earnings: $116,580 | $48,750 | $72,840 | $106,650 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries employment: 7,480 mean earnings: $110,500 | $34,010 | $52,740 | $97,000 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Broadcasting (except Internet) employment: 8,830 mean earnings: $106,800 | $41,060 | $59,140 | $91,970 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Internet Publishing and Broadcasting employment: 820 mean earnings: $125,140 | $58,040 | $77,100 | $114,390 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Telecommunications employment: 9,480 mean earnings: $110,830 | $48,510 | $70,820 | $101,990 | $144,790 | >$145K |
| Internet Service Providers, Web Search Portals, and Data Processing Service employment: 8,160 mean earnings: $119,770 | $55,470 | $77,430 | $110,790 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Other Information Services employment: 800 mean earnings: $109,190 | $51,760 | $71,770 | $95,630 | $141,060 | >$145K |
| Finance and Insurance employment: 109,480 mean earnings: $113,810 (EC) (def) (IG) | $49,650 | $68,610 | $101,200 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Monetary Authorities - Central Bank employment: 440 mean earnings: $121,030 | $57,490 | $79,010 | $115,720 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities employment: 53,420 mean earnings: $104,580 | $45,700 | $62,090 | $90,970 | $138,800 | >$145K |
| Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities employment: 15,010 mean earnings: $134,770 | $58,530 | $84,370 | $131,530 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Insurance Carriers and Related Activities employment: 38,550 mean earnings: $118,480 | $55,070 | $75,000 | $105,700 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles employment: 2,060 mean earnings: $111,790 | $47,080 | $67,510 | $98,160 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing employment: 36,850 mean earnings: $100,280 (EC) (def) (IG) | $40,050 | $56,240 | $84,190 | $137,540 | >$145K |
| Real Estate employment: 22,700 mean earnings: $107,110 | $42,910 | $61,430 | $89,830 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Rental and Leasing Services employment: 12,640 mean earnings: $86,400 | $36,580 | $49,940 | $71,450 | $107,590 | >$145K |
| Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets (except Copyrighted Works) employment: 1,510 mean earnings: $113,880 | $44,090 | $67,660 | $101,420 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 149,590 mean earnings: $120,590 (EC) (def) (IG) | $52,790 | $76,070 | $112,090 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 149,590 mean earnings: $120,590 | $52,790 | $76,070 | $112,090 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 58,210 mean earnings: $116,280 (EC) (def) (IG) | $50,660 | $69,820 | $104,050 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 58,210 mean earnings: $116,280 | $50,660 | $69,820 | $104,050 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services employment: 107,930 mean earnings: $89,350 (EC) (def) (IG) | $38,640 | $51,740 | $73,660 | $113,580 | >$145K |
| Administrative and Support Services employment: 100,480 mean earnings: $89,250 | $38,470 | $51,430 | $73,270 | $113,750 | >$145K |
| Waste Management and Remediation Services employment: 7,450 mean earnings: $90,590 | $41,740 | $56,720 | $79,030 | $111,890 | >$145K |
| Educational Services employment: 47,030 mean earnings: $87,360 (EC) (def) (IG) | $42,330 | $57,730 | $79,990 | $109,020 | $144,530 |
| Educational Services employment: 47,030 mean earnings: $87,360 | $42,330 | $57,730 | $79,990 | $109,020 | $144,530 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance employment: 104,900 mean earnings: $77,600 (EC) (def) (IG) | $38,560 | $50,530 | $68,160 | $91,390 | $133,480 |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services employment: 37,830 mean earnings: $84,240 | $40,470 | $52,830 | $71,610 | $101,340 | >$145K |
| Hospitals employment: 19,930 mean earnings: $86,170 | $47,080 | $59,560 | $77,310 | $102,640 | $141,880 |
| Nursing and Residential Care Facilities employment: 23,360 mean earnings: $70,920 | $37,140 | $48,430 | $64,550 | $85,040 | $112,820 |
| Social Assistance employment: 23,780 mean earnings: $66,410 | $33,900 | $44,020 | $58,680 | $79,770 | $107,490 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation employment: 31,310 mean earnings: $78,430 (EC) (def) (IG) | $33,370 | $45,400 | $64,560 | $97,650 | >$145K |
| Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries employment: 6,770 mean earnings: $92,940 | $35,980 | $50,510 | $75,130 | $124,880 | >$145K |
| Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions employment: 2,600 mean earnings: $87,060 | $42,410 | $54,060 | $77,450 | $109,080 | >$145K |
| Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries employment: 21,940 mean earnings: $72,940 | $32,170 | $43,140 | $60,690 | $89,850 | $135,400 |
| Accomodation and Food Service employment: 69,030 mean earnings: $64,770 (EC) (def) (IG) | $29,500 | $38,500 | $53,030 | $77,450 | $116,260 |
| Accommodation employment: 12,420 mean earnings: $72,640 | $29,990 | $42,790 | $59,720 | $90,750 | $135,200 |
| Food Services and Drinking Places employment: 56,600 mean earnings: $63,050 | $29,430 | $37,860 | $51,700 | $74,240 | $112,150 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) employment: 73,890 mean earnings: $84,540 (EC) (def) (IG) | $37,910 | $51,430 | $72,470 | $105,950 | >$145K |
| Repair and Maintenance employment: 24,350 mean earnings: $80,130 | $37,880 | $49,710 | $68,750 | $95,930 | $145,240 |
| Personal and Laundry Services employment: 14,180 mean earnings: $77,130 | $33,680 | $46,530 | $65,350 | $95,810 | $140,390 |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations employment: 35,360 mean earnings: $90,550 | $40,110 | $55,710 | $78,540 | $114,380 | >$145K |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 72,310 mean earnings: $74,340 (def) (IG) | $38,780 | $51,850 | $70,820 | $91,550 | $114,780 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 72,310 mean earnings: $74,340 | $38,780 | $51,850 | $70,820 | $91,550 | $114,780 |
source: Occupational Employment Statistics Program; about these estimates
The (EC) links lead to data from the Economic Census from the Census Bureau.
The (def) links lead to 2002 NAICS industry definitions from the Census Bureau.
The (IG) links lead to Industry at a Glance industry profiles from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.