Store Manager: what the job is, what it pays, and how to get hired.

Median pay

$48,520

BLS May 2025

Employed in the U.S.

1,121,800

BLS May 2025

Preparation

Job Zone 1-2 of 5

very little to some preparation

Most common education

High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)

52% of workers

Data Government data groups this job as First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers (O*NET-SOC 41-1011.00). Figures on this page are for that occupation.

1. Provide customer service by greeting and assisting customers and responding to customer inquiries and complaints.
2. Direct and supervise employees engaged in sales, inventory-taking, reconciling cash receipts, or in performing services for customers.
3. Examine merchandise to ensure that it is correctly priced and displayed and that it functions as advertised.
4. Monitor sales activities to ensure that customers receive satisfactory service and quality goods.
5. Instruct staff on how to handle difficult and complicated sales.
6. Assign employees to specific duties.
7. Keep records of purchases, sales, and requisitions.
8. Perform work activities of subordinates, such as cleaning and organizing shelves and displays and selling merchandise.

Telework available

1.9%

of workers had the ability to telework

Workday sitting

31.0%

mean share of the day required to sit

Most common strength level

Light

54.2% of workers

Can pause work

81.6%

of workers could take short, unscheduled breaks

Self-paced workload

26.5%

of workers set their own workload

Employer-changed schedules

68.6%

of workers had schedules changed by the employer week to week

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey. Estimates are preliminary; ranges are shown as published.

1. General merchandise retailers14.4% of all jobs in this occupation · -5.1% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $49,750
2. Food and beverage retailers13.5% of all jobs in this occupation · +1.6% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $54,340
3. Clothing, clothing accessories, shoe, and jewelry retailers8.6% of all jobs in this occupation · -7.5% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $49,430
4. Sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book, and miscellaneous retailers8.5% of all jobs in this occupation · -4.5% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $48,640
5. Gasoline stations and fuel dealers7.2% of all jobs in this occupation · +0.5% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $44,370
6. Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers6.6% of all jobs in this occupation · +3.4% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $57,100

Sources: BLS 2025–35 National Employment Matrix (share of the occupation's jobs, projected change) and BLS OEWS May 2025 industry estimates (mean wage). Different industry estimates are not a pay forecast for any person.

Knowledge areas: Customer and Personal Service, Administration and Management, Sales and Marketing, English Language, Education and Training, Personnel and Human Resources.

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• ASI Point of SalePoint of sale POS software

Also called: Bakery Manager, Delicatessen Manager, Department Manager, Department Supervisor, Grocery Manager, Key Carrier.