Management Career Overview
Management careers consist of a wide variety of occupations which are very generally characterized by the fact that they all involve some degree of planning, directing, and/or coordinating. Managers exist in nearly all business and government sectors.
A highly generalized grouping of management careers might consist of three categories: Top-level managers, mid-level managers, and operational specialty managers.
Top level managers, found in almost all organizations, are concerned with policy making, planning, staffing, and the general high-level oversight of the organization. They determine and formulate policies at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers. Examples of this type of manager include Chief Operating Officers (CEOs) and corporation presidents.
Mid-level managers, also found in most organizations, are responsible for planning and directing activities at an operational level. Duties and responsibilities include formulating localized policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources.
Operational specialty managers coordinate the support services of an organization, such as record keeping, mail distribution, internal/external communications, and other office support services.
Because managers are required in nearly every industry, a large number of individuals find work in this field. Specifically, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that a total of 6,542,950 workers were employed across all management occupations in 2013. Further, employment for all workers in this field is expected to increase 7 percent nationally during the decade leading up to 2022.
This list includes some of the top management careers in 2013:
Top Management Careers (BLS, 2013)
Career | Number of Workers Nationally in 2013 | Job Description | Degree Requirements |
Advertising, Marketing, Promotions, Public Relations, and Sales Managers | 608,470 | These professionals work with artists, sales agents, and marketing professionals in order to craft a comprehensive marketing strategy for a product or service. They oversee all facets of each project and direct others. | Most professionals in this field earn a Bachelor's degree in Advertising, Marketing, or a related field. |
Chief Executives | 248,760 | The BLS reports that chief executives provide the overall direction for their company or organization. They create and implement new policies, formulate budgets and plans, and ensure that all company goals and standards are being met. | Most chief executives have a Bachelor's degree in Business or a related field. Many also earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. |
Construction Managers | 213,720 | Construction managers oversee building projects from start to finish. They create detailed budgets, supervise workers, and run a comprehensive schedule for all work that needs completed. | The BLS notes that most construction managers begin their career with a Bachelor's degree in a construction-related field. |
Medical and Health Services Managers | 300,180 | Medical and health services managers work in a supervisory role at medical and health clinics and institutions. They supervise administrative workers, ensure that all local, state, and national regulations are being met, and create budgets and work schedules. | The BLS reports that medical and health services managers typically hold a Bachelor's degree. However, Master's degrees are not uncommon in this field. |
Human Resources Managers | 110,650 | These workers are in charge of recruiting and interviewing new talent for their organizations. They create and implement workplace policies and provide a link between workers and top management. | Most human resource managers can be hired into entry level positions with a Bachelor's degree. However, many human resources managers also choose to pursue Master's degrees. |
Management Career Education
According to the BLS, most management careers begin with a Bachelor's degree. However, a graduate or professional degree in any one of these fields may increase your job prospects. The following table outlines the different degree and certificate options in this field and what kind of career they may help you qualify for:
Bachelor's | Bachelor's degree programs typically take four years of full-time study to complete. | Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers, Chief Executives, Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Managers, Construction Managers, Engineering Managers Supervisors Of Food Preparation and Serving Workers - Food Service Managers, General Managers, Medical and Health Services Managers, Human Resources Managers, Industrial Production Managers, Managers, Marketing Managers, Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers, Public Relations and Fundraising Managers, Purchasing Managers, Social and Community Service Managers, Supervisors Of Non Retail Sales Workers, Training and Development Managers, Architectural Managers, Computer and Information Systems Managers, Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers, Natural Sciences Managers, Top Executives |
Graduate or Professional | Students can earn a graduate or professional degree in 1-3 years after earning a Bachelor's degree. | Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers, Chief Executives, Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Managers, Construction Managers, Engineering Managers, General Managers, Medical and Health Services Managers, Human Resources Managers, Industrial Production Managers, Managers, Marketing Managers, Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers, Public Relations and Fundraising Managers, Purchasing Managers, Social and Community Service Managers, Training and Development Managers, Computer and Information Systems Managers, Natural Sciences Managers, Top Executives |
Sources:
"Bureau of Labor Statistics," May 2013 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm
"Bureau of Labor Statistics," Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition," Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/advertising-promotions-and-marketing-managers.htm
"Bureau of Labor Statistics," Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition," Top Executives, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/top-executives.htm#tab-1
"Bureau of Labor Statistics," Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition," Construction Managers, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/construction-managers.htm#tab-1
"Bureau of Labor Statistics," Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition," Medical and Health Services Managers, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm#tab-1
"Bureau of Labor Statistics," Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition," Human Resources Managers, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/human-resources-managers.htm#tab-1
Schools for Management are listed in the column to the left.
This table shows summary data on occupations in the US. Clicking on any occupation name brings you to a page showing job prospects and salaries for that occupation in hundreds of metro areas across the country, with data updated through 2022.(Where data is denoted by an asterisk (*), summary info was not available.
Click each Occupation title for more details.