City Manager

Median salary, education path, job outlook, and related careers — based on U.S. labor data.

What a City Manager does

Oversees day-to-day operations of a municipal government, implementing policies set by elected officials and managing city departments and budgets.

Education & path

The typical entry point is a master's degree. About 6 years (bachelor's + ~2-year master's).

Estimated cost of that path: ~$70,000. Estimated payback: ~3 years. Estimates only — actual cost varies widely by school and financial aid; payback assumes ~20% of income applied.

Related careers

• Probation Officer — $60,000/yr
• Diplomat / Foreign Service Officer — $90,000/yr
• Legislative Assistant — $52,000/yr
• Public Affairs Specialist — $68,000/yr
• Government Affairs Manager — $95,000/yr