Business Managers have a broad and versatile set of skills and work in many different types of industries and for a variety of different kinds of companies. As a result, they are likely to find job options in almost any city. However, certain cities offer better opportunities than others. This article contains information about the best cities for Business Managers, and covers some of the things that you should consider when looking for a job in this field.
What is a Business Manager?
A Business Manager is a leader who supervises the personnel and operations of a department or organization. They work to maintain productivity, efficiency, and organization, and to help the company achieve its goals. They also help improve overall performance and find new opportunities for growth and improvement. A small company might have only one Business Manager, while a larger company might have a number of them. Some Business Managers specialize in a specific area such as marketing, sales, or administration.
A Business Manager typically takes responsibility for a wide range of different tasks. These vary depending on the industry they work in and the company they work for, however, in general, this position involves four main aspects. One is planning, which means setting future goals and making a plan for achieving them. The second is organizing tasks and resources so that business plans can be implemented. A third part of business management is leading employees. Finally, Business Managers are responsible for controlling the operations of a business, which means keeping track of how it is performing and making any changes that are needed.
What Makes a City Good for Business Managers?
If you’re looking for a job as a Business Manager, it’s a good idea to do some research on the specific city--or cities--that you’re interested in. There are a number of things that can impact your chances of success and long-term job satisfaction in a particular city. They include job opportunities, salaries, the business manager community that exists there, the cost of living, and the quality of life offered.
Job Opportunities
When you’re evaluating cities, it’s important to consider the job opportunities that each city offers. You need to look at whether the city that you’re considering has opportunities that match your expertise and your interests. You also want to consider how many job opportunities there are in general. Another thing that can be helpful is to look at the city’s unemployment rate; a higher unemployment rate may mean that it will be more difficult to find a job there. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data shows that the metropolitan areas that have the highest level of employment for management jobs are all large cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Boston, and San Francisco.
Salaries
Another important thing to consider is salaries. There are a variety of websites that provide salary estimates for specific cities. You can also try looking at job postings for that city to find information about potential salaries. According to data provided by BLS, the top-paying metropolitan areas in the United States are all large cities. These include San Francisco, New York, Boston, and Washington, D.C. The agency also reports that the top-paying industries for management occupations are the financial industry and the media industry, both of which have an annual mean wage of over $200,000.
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Cost of Living
Understanding the cost of living in a particular city is just as important as understanding salaries. The cost of living includes the cost of things like housing, food, and healthcare. It is a vital part of determining how much money you will actually end up with from your salary. While it’s great to work somewhere where salaries are high, if the cost of living is also very high, your salary might not go as far as you think.
Strong Business Manager Community
You may also want to look at what kind of business management community exists in the city that you’re considering. A community can be a valuable source of support and networking opportunities. For instance, it can help you learn about existing companies and link you to job opportunities. A strong community can also mean that you’ll have more educational resources available to you in that city.
Quality of Life
In addition to work-related considerations, you also need to think about the quality of life that the city offers. This includes evaluating whether there are entertainment opportunities that fit your interests. For instance, if you like shopping or dining, what are your options? If you’re interested in outdoor activities, does the city offer easy access to these? You also might need to consider the weather. Does the city get too hot or cold for you? Does it rain too much, or not enough? Another consideration is commute times.
Top Cities for Business Managers
San Francisco
San Francisco has one of the largest economies in the country, and offers many opportunities for Business Managers. According to BLS, San Francisco is the fifth-highest-paying metropolitan area in the United States for General and Operations Managers, with an average salary of $173,000. The San Francisco Chamber of Commerce reports that the city’s key sectors are IT and Software, Social and Digital Media, Life Sciences and Biotech, Environmental and Cleantech, and International Business. In a US News & World Report article titled, “The 25 Best Places to Find a Job in the U.S. in 2024-2025,” San Francisco takes the number one spot. The author says, “Whether you're looking to work for a startup or big tech, the City by the Bay has an impressive selection of employers.” It goes on to explain, “Professional and business services accounts for 20% of San Francisco's employment. Education and health services, trade, transportation and utilities, and government are other leading employment sectors.”
Los Angeles
Los Angeles also offers many opportunities in business management. On its website, the Economic & Workforce Development Department has an article titled, “Why Los Angeles?”where it talks about the city’s vibrant economy. It says, “Los Angeles is a global economic powerhouse, boasting the world's third-largest metropolitan economy.” It explains, “For generations, people from around the globe have come to Los Angeles to create the future and in turn, helped build one of the most diverse and dynamic cities in history.” According to the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, leading industries in this city include aerospace, biosciences, entertainment, EV and advanced transportation, design, and IT. BLS reports that the Los Angeles metropolitan area ranks sixth in the United States for the highest employment level of General and Operations Managers, with more than 90,000 people employed.
Washington, D.C.
Washington D.C. has one of the largest economies in the United States, and it is home to many different types of businesses where Business Managers are needed. On a web page titled, “WHY DC,” the Washington DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP)explains, “Our workforce is a powerhouse of talent and education. With a median age of 35, our workforce consistently ranks among the top in categories such as entrepreneurial and tech talent, women in technology, and experienced local executives.” It says, “DC is renowned for attracting top global talent, resulting in a robust and diverse workforce.” According to BLS, the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area ranks in the top ten for highest pay and highest levels of employment for General and Operations Managers, with more than 100,000 people employed and an average salary of about $157,000. In a US News & World Report article titled, “The 25 Best Places to Find a Job in the U.S. in 2024-2025,” Washington, D.C. is listed as number 13. The author says, “Nearly one-third of Washington, D.C., residents are employed by the government, followed by more than 20% in business and professional services and 15% in education and health services.”
New York
New York City has the biggest economy in New York State and one of the largest in the world, and offers a wide range of different business management opportunities in all kinds of industries. In a website page titled, “Why NYC?” NYC International Business says, “With a market boasting 8.6 million potential customers–and more than 25 million in the metro area–the economic opportunities in NYC are endless. With its strong economy and infrastructure, global workforce, and cross-industry innovation, it's no wonder that NYC is considered the business center of the world.” The organization reports that some of the city’s most important industries are technology and media, smart cities and clean tech, fashion, foods and beverages, and finance. BLS reports that New York is the second-highest paying metropolitan area in the United States for General and Operations Managers, with a median salary of about $181,000. In addition, it has the highest employment level in the country for this role, with close to 200,000 people employed.
Boston
Boston has a large economy, with many different business management opportunities. The City of Boston calls it “the economic engine and cultural hub of New England.” According to a 2023 report titled “Boston’s Economy,” by the Boston Planning & Development Agency, job growth in Boston is strong. It states, “Boston saw another strong year of economic growth in 2022 . . . [and] added just over 18,000 jobs.” BLS finds that more than 83,000 people are employed as General and Operations Managers in Boston, making it one of the top ten employers in the United States. The annual mean wage is about $158,000, which makes Boston one of the top-paying metropolitan areas. In an Indeed article titled, “The 28 Best Cities for US Job Seekers in 2024,” the best U.S. cities for job seekers are listed, based on a number of different criteria. Indeed places Boston second on the list of “Best cities for job seekers ranked by average annual salary.” Boston is also ranked highly under “Best cities for job seekers ranked by unemployment rate.” The author explains, “A low unemployment rate usually reflects an increase in hiring and efficiency in economic operation capabilities.”
Why Become a Business Manager?
Business management is a high-paying career and experts predict that it will have strong future job growth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is a government agency that collects U.S. labor market statistics and releases analyses of those statistics. It reports a strong job outlook for all management jobs. It says, “Overall employment in management occupations is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2022 to 2032. About 1.1 million openings are projected each year, on average, in these occupations due to employment growth and the need to replace workers who leave the occupations permanently.” According to the agency, “The median annual wage for this group was $116,880 in May 2023, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $48,060.”
As a Business Manager, you may have access to a variety of different types of job opportunities in a range of industries, which is one thing that lots of people like about this job. Business Managers work in many different places because most types of business need managers. A Business Manager helps a business create goals and meet those goals, and also helps keep employees motivated and productive. This job can mean the difference between a business that thrives and one that does not.
How to Find a Business Manager Job
To work in business management, you’ll need to learn a broad set of skills including finance, communication, and leadership. You’ll also need knowledge of the specific industry you plan to work in. A great way to get this education is to enroll in a bootcamp or certificate course at a career training school. These types of programs are usually both comprehensive and accelerated, with a focus on helping you master everything you need for a career in business management, and doing so in the shortest amount of time possible. They are typically intended to prepare you for an entry-level job in your intended field. Most also include career support services such as help creating a resume and portfolio and advice about applying for jobs and interviewing. In some cases, you’ll even leave the course with connections to professional networks in your field.
If you want to work in business management, in addition to education, you’ll need work experience, during which you can learn how to apply your knowledge in real-world situations. Experience is also an important part of learning the many intricacies of being a Business Manager. There are lots of different ways to gain experience. LinkedIn has an article titled, “You Want To Get Experience in Business Management Before Starting your Career. How Can You Do It?” where it explains some ways to gain experience in this field while you’re still in school. It says, “One of the most effective ways to get experience in business management is to find an internship or a part-time job that relates to your field of interest. You can search for opportunities on job boards, career fairs, social media, or your network.” Other suggestions are: joining a student organization, volunteering, and starting a side project.
Professional certifications can also be beneficial for a career in business management. Research shows that these often give job applicants an edge over other candidates, and can also increase the chances of advancement or pay raises. The specific certification that you pursue will depend on what field you plan to work in and what type of specialization you’re pursuing. Some certifications that might be useful in business management include Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP), and Certified Professional-Human Resource (IPMA-CP).
Learn the Skills to Become a Business Manager at Noble Desktop
Noble Desktop is a New York City-based school that offers a wide variety of business classes, both in person--at its Manhattan facility--and in a live online format. Courses include comprehensive, hands-on bootcamps and certificate programs, which are designed to help you master all the skills that you’ll need in order to work as a business manager. Noble also runs a number of shorter courses where you can spend a day or two learning essential business skills like financial modeling or Excel. This school is licensed by the New York State Education Department.
- One popular Noble Desktop option is the “MBA” Business Certificate. This course is an “MBA-style” program and it includes some of the skills taught in MBA programs. In this class, you’ll learn tools and strategies for finance, project management, marketing, and data analysis. You’ll also learn about the practical applications of generative AI, and will get access to a self-paced class that covers the basics of business insurance, employment law, and business law. This class includes the option to take electives that match your specific area of interest. Finally, it comes with eight one-on-one mentoring sessions.
- Another popular certificate program is the Data Analytics Certificate. In this course you’ll learn about gathering, wrangling, analyzing, and visualizing data, and you’ll work on a number of real-world projects. Both predictive and prescriptive analytics are covered, in addition to Python, Excel, Tableau, and SQL. All students also receive eight one-on-one mentoring sessions, which can be used to work on challenging concepts or for resume and portfolio advice.
- Noble Desktop also runs many different business-related bootcamps. The Project Management Bootcamp is a popular option. This class is designed for students who want to learn more about project management. It is a combination of the school’s Level I and Level II classes and is offered at a discount. When you take the Project Management Bootcamp, you’ll learn the five phases of project management and will receive a slide deck that contains a variety of exercises. You’ll also learn about Waterfall, Critical Path, and Agile methods of project management, including popular Agile frameworks. You’ll receive a certificate of completion at the end of the class.
- Another bootcamp option is the Chat GTP & AI for Business Bootcamp. This course is designed to give you the skills you’ll need to utilize AI in your daily business tasks. You’ll learn how to create effective prompts, manage conversations, and use advanced features like memory settings. You’ll also learn about the ethical considerations of AI. In addition, the course focuses on ways to use AI for task management, communication, and project planning. You’ll learn about automating repetitive tasks, optimizing schedules, and improving collaboration and administrative workflows.
- Noble also offers many shorter classes focused on a number of different business skills. For example, it has a variety of short Excel classes: Excel Level 1,Level 2, and Level 3. Level 1 is focused on getting familiar with the interface, entering data, using essential formulas and functions, and creating charts. You’ll also learn how to format and print. Level 2 covers splitting and joining text, adding data validation, named ranges, database functions, adding logical statements, and using Pivot Tables. In addition, you’ll learn to use statistical functions and create advanced combo charts. In Level 3, instructors cover advanced concepts including cell locking, auditing, hotkeys, formatting for calculating dates, advanced functions, advanced analytical tools, Pivot Charts, and advanced database functions.