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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Department Manager in California is $52,069 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.
However, a Department Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Department Manager Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $55,378 | $4,615 | $1,065 | $27 |
| Average | $52,069 | $4,339 | $1,001 | $25 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,926 | $3,827 | $883 | $22 |
Flecha Restaurant - San Diego, CA
Ace Hardware - Roseville, CA
Sports Basement - Rocklin, CA
Ace Hardware - San Diego, CA
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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Department Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
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.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Media | $62,483 | $30.0 | 20% |
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $55,378 | $4,615 | $1,065 | $27 |
| Average | $52,069 | $4,339 | $1,001 | $25 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,926 | $3,827 | $883 | $22 |
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.
Flecha Restaurant
Huntington Beach, CA
Flecha Restaurant | Huntington Beach, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Job Title: Department Manager. Company Description. Flecha by Mark Wahlberg is an exuberant, polished casual dining estab... more
9 Days Ago
Savers Value Village
Walnut Creek, CA
Savers Value Village | Walnut Creek, CA
Savers Value Village - - Responsibilities: Manage store operations and customer service in department. Oversee backroom production or service side function... more
9 Days Ago
Savers Value Village
San Jose, CA
Savers Value Village | San Jose, CA
Savers Value Village - - Responsibilities: Lead department operations and coaching to meet store goals and deliver excellent service more
9 Days Ago
H&M
Walnut Creek, CA
H&M | Walnut Creek, CA
H&M - - Responsibilities: Lead and develop a retail team to deliver exceptional customer experience and sales results. Analyze sales performance and create... more
9 Days Ago
BNED
Sacramento, CA
BNED | Sacramento, CA
BNED - - Responsibilities: Assist in the daily operation of the store in partnership with the Store Manager, Assistant Store Manager and the management tea... more
5 Days Ago
H&M
Gilroy, CA
H&M | Gilroy, CA
H&M - 681 Leavesley Road - Responsibilities: Lead store operations and visual merchandising. Recruit, onboard, and develop team. Manage omni-channel custom... more
8 Days Ago
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