How long does it take to become a District Manager?

It takes 7 years of professional experience to become a district manager. That is the time it takes to learn specific district manager skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education. If you include the normal education requirements to complete a college degree, then it takes 10 to 12 years years to become a district manager.

Do district managers make good money?

Yes, district managers make good money. A district manager averages $88,023 a year. However, there is a good deal of variability in how much a district manager can earn. It can range from as low as $57,000 a year to as high as $135,000 a year. Factors such as the number of years of experience, the type of company, and location all impact how much a district manager may earn.

Is being a district manager stressful?

Yes, being a district manager is a stressful job. Many district managers must travel a lot to visit various offices and sales reps throughout the territory they manage. This can be a stressful position as the travel and the need to consistently meet company goals and projections sometimes make difficult working conditions. District managers are also expected to work irregular hours and be on call for emergency situations.

What is a district manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Expert

Eric Olsen

A district manager is responsible for overseeing the operations of multiple stores or locations within a specific geographic area. They are responsible for ensuring that each location meets or exceeds its sales goals, manages its inventory effectively, and maintains a high level of customer satisfaction. District managers are responsible for hiring and training store managers and staff, as well as ensuring compliance with company policies. They also analyze sales and market trends.

What general advice would you give to a District Manager?

Eric Olsen

Professor, Industrial Technology and Packaging, Orfalea College of Business

Times of change are also times of great opportunities. We are going to need new technical solutions to address problems we are just learning about. You have to lean into the issues. Don't be a technologist - be a problem solver. That is why we also emphasize soft skills like lean six sigma, teamwork, and change management.

ScoreDistrict ManagerUS Average

Salary

7.5

Avg. Salary $96,909

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

9.6

Growth Rate 6%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.47%

Asian 6.40%

Black or African American 6.22%

Hispanic or Latino 15.32%

Unknown 4.34%

White 67.25%

Gender

female 29.11%

male 70.89%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress Level

9.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

9.2

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

3.6

Work Life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a District Manager?

Pros

High earning potential
Job stability and security
Opportunities for growth and advancement
Flexible work schedule
Travel opportunities

Cons

High levels of stress and pressure
Constantly changing priorities and goals
Dealing with difficult employees or situations
Accountability for the performance of multiple locations
Limited control over corporate decisions and policies

Key steps to become a district manager

Explore district manager education requirements

Most common district manager degrees

Bachelor's

66.3 %

Associate

15.6 %

High School Diploma

7.5 %

Start to develop specific district manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	20.86%
Multi-Unit	7.28%
Customer Satisfaction	5.16%
Payroll	4.97%
Financial Performance	4.82%

Complete relevant district manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New district managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a district manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real district manager resumes.

Gain additional district manager certifications

District manager certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific district manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for district managers include Certified Sales Professional (CSP) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA).

More About Certifications

Research district manager duties and responsibilities

Lead charge to get Erie branch ISO [] certify.
Manage store location and fill ADM duties when necessary.
Hire, develop, and manage depot sales staff; promote consulting, training and administration.
Assist in managing contract delivery drivers to ensure that all routes are covered and newspapers are delivered on time.

Prepare your district manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your district manager resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a district manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable District Manager Resume templates

Build a professional District Manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your District Manager resume.