A general and operations manager oversees the day-to-day running of a business or department. You'll make decisions, solve problems, and lead teams. Most start with a high school diploma and climb through experience and on-the-job learning.
Pathly builds you a free, personalized roadmap and helps your counselor champion you along the way.
General and operations managers direct the overall operations of organizations or departments. You work with computers to track performance, gather information to inform decisions, and communicate regularly with supervisors, peers, and staff. You solve problems, set goals, and build strong working relationships across teams. Your work spans administration, customer service, production, and personnel management. You monitor performance, speak and listen actively to understand needs, and think critically about how to improve efficiency and results.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
General and Operations Managers earn a median of $105,770 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is steady. Employment is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as average for all occupations, with about 308,700 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You can start with a high school diploma and build from there. Most managers rise through experience in their field, taking on increasing responsibility over time. You'll develop skills on the job through active learning and by taking on leadership roles. Many pursue further education or training in business, management, or their specific industry while working. The path typically involves several years of work experience before moving into a management role, so patience and steady growth matter.
Most paths to management involve starting in an entry-level role, gaining experience, and moving up as opportunities open. If you're exploring when and how to take on more responsibility, Pathly can map the general and operations manager path that fits you with your counselor to map out a realistic timeline for your situation.
Many general and operations managers must be licensed, and professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
Licensing is handled at the state level and the requirements vary, so check the licensing board in your state. Pathly shows your state's specific steps inside your roadmap.
You're drawn to leadership and building things. You like taking charge, persuading others, and seeing tangible results from your decisions and effort.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.
Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).