Office managers play a vital role in keeping businesses running smoothly on a day-to-day basis. Their main responsibilities include coordinating office activities, supervising administrative staff, and ensuring efficient office operations. With such an important set of duties, what is the typical salary range for most office managers?
Quick Answer
The average annual salary for office managers in the United States is $55,000. However, salaries can range from as low as $35,000 to over $90,000 per year depending on factors such as location, industry, experience level, and company size.
Office Manager Salary by State
There is some variation in office manager salaries depending on geographical location. Here are the average annual salaries for office managers in select states:
State | Average Salary |
---|---|
California | $63,000 |
Texas | $52,000 |
New York | $62,000 |
Florida | $50,000 |
Illinois | $57,000 |
As the data shows, office manager pay tends to be higher in states with a higher cost of living like California and New York. It is lower in states with a lower cost of living like Florida and Texas.
Salary by Metro Area
Looking at specific metro areas, here are the average annual salaries for office managers in some of the biggest US cities:
Metro Area | Average Salary |
---|---|
New York, NY | $68,000 |
Los Angeles, CA | $66,000 |
Chicago, IL | $60,000 |
Houston, TX | $55,000 |
Philadelphia, PA | $57,000 |
Major metropolitan areas, where the cost of living is higher, tend to pay office managers more than the national average. Smaller metro areas or rural locations may pay below the average.
Salary by Industry
Office manager pay can vary significantly based on the industry. Here are average salaries for some top industries:
Industry | Average Salary |
---|---|
Finance and insurance | $63,000 |
Information technology | $60,000 |
Healthcare | $57,000 |
Manufacturing | $55,000 |
Retail | $48,000 |
Higher-paying industries like finance and tech are able to offer larger salaries. Lower-paying sectors like retail have tighter budgets and compensate office managers less.
Salary by Experience and Qualifications
An office manager’s experience level and qualifications impact their earning potential. Here is a breakdown:
- Entry-level (0-2 years experience): $35,000 – $45,000
- Mid-level (3-6 years experience): $45,000 – $65,000
- Experienced (7+ years experience): $60,000 – $90,000
- Bachelor’s degree: +$5,000 salary boost
- MBA or master’s degree: +$10,000 salary boost
The more years of experience and the higher level of education an office manager has, the more leverage they have to negotiate higher pay. Entry-level managers earn less than experienced managers who can command much higher salaries.
Salary by Company Size
The size of the company also impacts an office manager’s pay. Larger companies tend to pay more than smaller businesses.
Company Size | Average Salary |
---|---|
Small business (under 50 employees) | $45,000 |
Mid-size company (50-500 employees) | $55,000 |
Large corporation (500+ employees) | $65,000 |
At large corporations, office managers earn around $20,000 more per year compared to small businesses. These large companies have bigger budgets to compensate employees.
Highest Paying Industries for Office Managers
While office manager salaries can vary quite a bit, there are certain industries that pay much higher salaries on average. The top 5 highest paying industries for office managers are:
- Oil and gas: $72,000 average salary
- Investment banking: $70,000
- Aerospace: $68,000
- Pharmaceuticals: $67,000
- Securities and commodity contracts: $66,000
These industries are among the most lucrative and can afford to pay office managers salaries approaching or exceeding $70,000 per year. The high pay reflects the fast-paced, high pressure environments common in these fields.
Benefits Packages
In addition to base salary, most office managers also receive benefits packages from their employers. Typical benefits include:
- Health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
- Life insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Paid time off (vacation, sick days, holidays)
- Disability insurance
- Flexible scheduling
- Professional development/education stipends
The value of these employer-provided benefits can add tens of thousands of dollars per year to an office manager’s total compensation. Health insurance alone often represents thousands in additional value.
Job Outlook for Office Managers
The job outlook for office managers is strong. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for administrative services managers (a category including office managers) is projected to grow 15% from 2020 to 2030. This is much faster than the average for all occupations.
Steady growth in office administrative roles across many industries will drive demand for qualified office managers to oversee these operations. The best job prospects will be in healthcare, professional services, and management companies.
Conclusion
In summary, the average office manager in the US earns around $55,000 per year. However, salaries range from $35,000 on the low end up to over $90,000 for experienced managers in high paying industries and large metro regions. The earning potential rises with years of experience, higher education, and company size.
Strong job growth is expected for office managers over the next decade, especially in growing industries like healthcare. Their organizational and leadership abilities will be in demand to manage administrative staff and office workflows.