All careers › Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers
Property manager: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $41,010lowest 10% earn less
- $50,72025th percentile
- $69,990median
- $97,91075th percentile
- $139,680top 10% earn more
Property managers had a median pay of $69,990 a year, well above the median for all occupations[1][2]. Employment is projected to grow 3.7% from 2025 to 2035[3].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +3.7%[3]
- Openings per year
- 36,900[5]
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent[6]
How much do property managers make?
The BLS category is Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers. Its median wage was $69,990 a year, or $33.65 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $83,710 a year, or $40.25 an hour[7].
The range is wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $41,010 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $139,680[4]. The 25th percentile was $50,720 and the 75th was $97,910[4]. Hourly, the 10th percentile was $19.72 and the 90th was $67.16[8]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].
The median for all occupations was $50,980 a year[2]. The property manager median was higher than that figure[1][2].
These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed and do not count bonuses or benefits such as health insurance[10]. About 31.3% of these managers were self-employed in 2025[11]. About 311,180 wage and salary jobs existed in May 2025[12].
Pay by state and city
Washington had the top state median at $119,320[13]. Massachusetts came next at $103,410, then Colorado at $100,080 and New York at $99,390[13]. Arkansas had the lowest listed median at $47,760[13].
California had the most jobs at 50,040[14]. Texas had 45,350, Florida 30,160, New York 11,390 and Illinois 11,180[14].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA had the highest median at $128,710[15]. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA followed at $117,990 and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH at $106,050[15]. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim had the most jobs at 19,780, with a median of $77,230[16]. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington had 15,890 jobs and a median of $62,920[16].
Show median pay in 50 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Washington[13] | $119,320 | 2,950 |
| Massachusetts | $103,410 | 7,320 |
| Colorado | $100,080 | 2,230 |
| New York | $99,390 | 11,390 |
| District of Columbia | $94,080 | 2,040 |
| New Jersey | $82,850 | 7,110 |
| Maryland | $81,900 | 6,060 |
| Rhode Island | $80,260 | 730 |
| Virginia | $79,810 | 5,570 |
| Oregon | $78,060 | 3,190 |
| Wisconsin | $77,730 | 1,560 |
| California | $77,030 | 50,040 |
| Alaska | $76,800 | 450 |
| New Hampshire | $75,500 | 730 |
| Georgia | $75,380 | 8,690 |
| Illinois | $74,980 | 11,180 |
| Connecticut | $73,940 | 2,760 |
| Florida | $70,810 | 30,160 |
| Hawaii | $70,190 | 1,930 |
| Delaware | $67,600 | 790 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,680 | 9,370 |
| Minnesota | $64,890 | 4,480 |
| Tennessee | $64,870 | 4,310 |
| Oklahoma | $64,640 | 2,520 |
| Utah | $64,290 | 3,020 |
| Arizona | $63,740 | 9,970 |
| South Carolina | $62,810 | 4,900 |
| Vermont | $62,810 | 560 |
| New Mexico | $62,230 | 1,410 |
| Missouri | $61,640 | 4,740 |
| Nebraska | $61,610 | 1,530 |
| North Carolina | $61,430 | 10,690 |
| Texas | $61,320 | 45,350 |
| Maine | $60,930 | 960 |
| Indiana | $60,600 | 4,670 |
| Michigan | $60,350 | 5,840 |
| Wyoming | $60,060 | 640 |
| Ohio | $59,050 | 9,960 |
| Kansas | $58,510 | 2,810 |
| North Dakota | $58,500 | 590 |
| Alabama | $58,240 | 3,510 |
| Montana | $58,050 | 1,130 |
| Iowa | $57,980 | 2,290 |
| Nevada | $55,670 | 5,630 |
| West Virginia | $54,860 | 1,130 |
| Mississippi | $53,620 | 1,300 |
| Kentucky | $52,790 | 2,670 |
| Idaho | $51,370 | 1,680 |
| Louisiana | $49,990 | 3,060 |
| South Dakota | $49,490 | 1,280 |
| Arkansas | $47,760 | 2,310 |
How to become a property manager
The typical path looks like this:
- First: get a high school diploma or equivalent. Employers may prefer college graduates for commercial roles that deal with a property's finances or contracts[17].
- Next: build several years of work experience in a related occupation. BLS lists it as less than 5 years[18][6].
- Then: expect short-term on-the-job training[6]. Employers typically require formal training programs from real estate associations[19].
- After that: check whether your state requires a license. Some managers must have one issued by the state where they work[20].
In most states, property managers must hold a property management license or a real estate broker's license[20]. Many states require licensure or professional credentials, and requirements vary by state[21]. Most states require recertification[21]. Managers of federally subsidized public housing must hold certifications[20].
People may start as onsite managers or assistant managers and advance with experience[22][23]. Experienced managers may open their own property management firms[24].
What property managers do
Property managers run the sale, purchase, leasing and governance of real estate properties[25]. Typical tasks include:
- Overseeing daily operations, upkeep and improvement of properties[26].
- Directing the collection of rent, assessments and deposits, and the payment of bills[26].
- Scheduling maintenance, major repairs and remodeling[26].
- Preparing budgets and financial reports[26].
- Collecting and comparing bids from contractors[26].
- Negotiating service contracts with clients[26].
- Directing staff and contract workers and reviewing their performance[26].
O*NET job titles include apartment manager, community association manager, leasing manager and onsite manager[27]. Useful qualities include communication, customer-service and interpersonal skills[28][29][30].
Where they work
Real estate was the largest employer in 2025, at 56% of jobs[31]. Managers usually work in an office setting, but some spend a lot of time away from their desks[32]. Onsite managers may show units, check on maintenance staff or look into resident problems[32].
Most managers work full time[33]. Schedules vary, and some managers handle emergencies after hours or attend evening meetings. Some must live at the properties they manage[33].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment to grow 3.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 460,400 to 477,600 jobs[3]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same period[34]. These counts include self-employed workers[3].
About 36,900 openings are projected each year[5]. Openings include jobs left by workers who retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 4% of workers leave the labor force and 3.5% move to a different occupation[35].
Is it a good fit?
Pay is well above the all-occupations median, though the spread between the lowest and highest earners is wide[1][2][4]. Entry education is a high school diploma, but several years of related experience are typical and a state license may be needed[6][18][20]. Growth is close to the all-occupations rate[3][34]. The job includes office work and time on the property, and some managers have irregular hours[32][33].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a property manager make a year?
- The median was $69,990 a year in May 2025, and the average was $83,710[1][7].
- What education do you need to be a property manager?
- BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education, along with work experience in a related occupation of less than 5 years[6].
- Do property managers need a license?
- Some managers must have a license issued by their state, and requirements vary by state[20][21].
- Is property management in demand?
- Employment is projected to grow 3.7% from 2025 to 2035, with about 36,900 openings a year[3][5].
- What is the highest paying state for property managers?
- Washington had the top median at $119,320, then Massachusetts at $103,410[13].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers in the US was $69,990 per year and $33.65 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers is projected to grow 3.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 460,400 to 477,600 jobs (a change of +17,100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers: 10th percentile $41,010, 25th percentile $50,720, 75th percentile $97,910, 90th percentile $139,680. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 36,900 openings for Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: Less than 5 years; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers was $83,710 per year and $40.25 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers: 10th percentile $19.72, 25th percentile $24.39, 75th percentile $47.07, 90th percentile $67.16. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: 31.3% of Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 311,180 people were employed as Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers jobs: California 50,040; Texas 45,350; Florida 30,160; New York 11,390; Illinois 11,180. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA $128,710; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $117,990; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $106,050; Boulder, CO $103,440; Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $101,750; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $96,950; Midland, TX $96,500; Worcester, MA $93,630. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers jobs: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 19,780 (median $77,230); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 15,890 (median $62,920); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 14,250 (median $96,950); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 10,490 (median $73,450); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 9,530 (median $72,950); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 9,300 (median $77,980). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET description of Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 11-9141.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Apartment Manager, Commercial Property Manager, Community Association Manager, Community Manager, Lease Administration Supervisor, Leasing Manager, Onsite Manager, Property Manager. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of property, real estate, and community association managers in 2025: Real estate 56%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers: 4% of workers leave the labor force each year and 3.5% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.