Department Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Department Manager make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Department Manager in the United States is $47,207 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.

However, a Department Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $52,938
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $41,638 to $50,207
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $36,568
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View as table View as graph 25% $41,638 10% $36,568 90% $52,938 75% $50,207 $47,207 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Department Manager Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $50,207 $4,184 $966 $24
Average $47,207 $3,934 $908 $23
25th Percentile $41,638 $3,470 $801 $20
Check out Department Manager Job Openings in the United States
ASSISTANT DEPARTMENT MANAGER - SHOES

Von Maur - Columbus, OH

Environmental Engineering Department Manager

Burns & McDonnell - Columbus, OH

Department of Corrections Case Manager

Community Medical Services - Columbus, OH

Search More Department Manager Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Department Manager Salaries

A Department Manager's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

Top Paying Cities for Department Managers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $59,542
  • San Francisco: $58,890
  • Oakland: $57,649

What Skills Can Increase a Department Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 15.69% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Purchasing (Mentioned in 1.88% Job Postings): Purchasing refers to a business or organization attempting to acquire goods or services to accomplish its goals. Although there are several organizations that attempt to set standards in the purchasing process, processes can vary greatly between organizations. Typically the word “purchasing” is not used interchangeably with the word “procurement”, since procurement typically includes expediting, supplier quality, and transportation and logistics (T&L) in addition to purchasing.
  • Customer Communications (Mentioned in 0.23% Job Postings): Customer communication or customer service communication is a way of exchanging information between a brand/business and a client. There are various customer communication platforms. Such as email, phone, or live chat communication with customers.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 15.69%
Purchasing 1.88%
Customer Communications 0.23%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Department Manager's salary.
  • Budgeting: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • Effective Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Budgeting
$57,120
21%
Effective Communication
$54,287
15%
Analysis
$52,871
12%
Decision Making
$52,399
11%
Organizational Management
$51,455
9%
Time Management
$50,511
7%
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Department Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Department Manager roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Media, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Department Manager positions in Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Department Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Department Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Media$56,648$27.020%

How Education impacts a Department Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Department Managers enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Department Manager with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $45,546 and $50,301).

Department Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Department Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.9%
High School 30.9%
Associates 17.6%
Bachelors 46.4%
Masters 4.1%
Doctorate 0.1%
view as graph

Department Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Department Manager's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Department Manager

Salaries for a Department Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $50,558 in 2023 to around $48,424 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Department Manager salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Department Manager Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$50,558
2024
$49,410
2025
$48,424
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $50,558
2024 $49,410
2025 $48,424
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Department Manager

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Department Manager

Here are companies hiring for Department Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Department Manager Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Department Manager job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Whole Foods

    Columbus, OH

    Whole Foods | Columbus, OH

    Associate Team Leader, WFMOA: E-Commerce. At Whole Foods Market, we're working to nourish people and the planet. We're committed to providing record-settin... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Whole Foods Market

    Columbus, OH

    Whole Foods Market | Columbus, OH

    Whole Foods Market - - Responsibilities: Coordinate process flow to ensure products are dispatched on time to meet on-line customer delivery promise. Alloc... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Department Head, Non-Nursing. About the Company. Senior living organizations committed to innovation and outstanding resident services. Industry. Hospital ... more

    6 Days Ago

  • McDonald's

    Columbus, OH

    McDonald's | Columbus, OH

    Description:McDonald's Works for Me and Provides Me what I Need:4K4G McDonalds is a family run growing organization that needs leaders like you. Work for p... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Columbus Arthritis Center

    Columbus, OH

    Columbus Arthritis Center | Columbus, OH

    Receptionist, Radiology DepartmentColumbus Arthritis Center is one of the largest Rheumatology private practices in Ohio. Our mission is to provide excepti... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Ohio State University

    Columbus, OH

    Ohio State University | Columbus, OH

    Care Manager (RN) - Emergency Department. Department: University Hospital | Care Management Services. Scope of Position: The Clinical Case Manager function... more

    5 Days Ago

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FAQ about Department Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Department Manager?

The Media industry offers the highest average compensation for Department Manager roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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