Financial Managers vs. General and Operations Managers: Who Earns More?
Financial Managers out-earn General and Operations Managers by $61K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Financial Managers land at $166,570 and General and Operations Managers at $105,770. The education gap is real: financial manager programs typically require bachelor's degree, while general and operations manager programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Financial Managers is New York ($219,880); for General and Operations Managers it's New Jersey ($173,690).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Financial Managers median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Financial Managers or General and Operations Managers?
Financial Managers earn more nationally. The median is $166,570 for Financial Managers versus $105,770 for General and Operations Managers, a difference of $61K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Financial Managers or General and Operations Managers?
Financial Managers has the better 10-year outlook at 14.8% projected growth, compared to 4.4% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Financial Managers or General and Operations Managers?
Financial Managers typically requires bachelor's degree. General and Operations Managers requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Financial Managers get paid the most?
New York is the top-paying state for Financial Managers at $219,880/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Financial Managers vs. General and Operations Managers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In New York, Financial Managers earn $219,880 vs. $130,860 for General and Operations Managers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.