2024 Data

General Manager Salary in Cincinnati, OH: $94,958 (2024)

Official 2024 BLS Data | $45.65/hour | $61,325 - $132,261 range

Median Annual Salary

$94,958

6.2% vs national

Hourly Rate

$45.65

/hour

Jobs in Area

1,807

employed

Salary Range$61,325 - $132,261
10th %Median90th %

Compare to Other Cities

See All →

Cincinnati, OH

$94,958

San Jose, CA

$142,165

$47,207 more (+49.7%)

in San Jose, CA

General Manager Salary Range in Cincinnati, OH

Annual Salary Range

$95k

$61k

10th percentile

$78k

25th

$117k

75th

$132k

90th percentile

Salary Breakdown by Percentile

PercentileAnnual SalaryHourly Rate
10th Percentile (Entry Level)$61,325$29.48
25th Percentile$77,712$37.36
Median (50th Percentile)$94,958$45.65
75th Percentile$116,712$56.11
90th Percentile (Top Earners)$132,261$63.59
Average (Mean)$103,724$49.87

General Manager Market Insights for Cincinnati, OH

Compensation Overview

General Manager compensation in Cincinnati, OH aligns with regional expectations. The salary range from $61,325 to $132,261 provides a clear picture of earning potential at different career stages.

Local Market Context

Cincinnati, OH offers competitive compensation that aligns closely with national benchmarks. The Ohio economy supports a diverse range of industries, providing stable employment opportunities across multiple sectors.

Career Outlook

The General Manager profession offers diverse career opportunities across industries. Professional development and continuous learning are key factors in advancing within this field. With a 116% salary range from entry-level to top earners, there is substantial room for financial growth as you advance in your career.

Tips for Increasing Your Salary

  • Develop specialized expertise to command higher compensation—top earners make 39% more than median salaries
  • Build a professional network through industry associations and local business groups
  • Pursue relevant certifications or advanced education to demonstrate expertise

-6%

vs National Avg

-5%

vs State Avg

116%

Salary Range

1,807

Jobs in Area

Career Path & Salary Progression

Typical General Manager salary growth in Cincinnati, OH based on experience level.

🎓

Entry Level

0-2 years

10th percentile

$61,325

/year

📈

Early Career

2-5 years

25th percentile

$77,712

/year

💼

Mid Career

5-10 years

50th percentile

$94,958

/year

🎯

Senior

10-15 years

75th percentile

$116,712

/year

Expert

15+ years

90th percentile

$132,261

/year

Note: Career progression and salary growth vary based on company size, industry, skills, and performance. These estimates use percentile data from the BLS as a general guide for typical career paths.

General Manager Job Market in Cincinnati, OH

Where General Managers Work

General Managers work across multiple industries including corporations, government agencies, healthcare organizations, and consulting firms. Each sector offers different compensation structures and career trajectories.

Local Employment Landscape

The Cincinnati, OH area maintains a healthy employment base for this occupation, with opportunities distributed across multiple employers. This provides job stability and career mobility without the intense competition found in major metros.

Types of Employers Hiring

Large Corporations

Typically offer comprehensive benefits, structured advancement, and competitive base salaries with bonus potential

Small to Medium Businesses

May provide more responsibility earlier in your career, flexible work arrangements, and equity opportunities

Government Agencies

Known for job security, excellent benefits packages, pension plans, and work-life balance

Professional Services Firms

Provide client exposure, rapid skill development, and often above-market compensation for top performers

Skills That Increase Earning Potential

Advanced certifications in your specialtyLeadership and team managementData analysis and reportingCommunication and presentation skillsIndustry-specific software proficiency

Job Search Strategy for Cincinnati, OH

  • Research major employers in the Cincinnati area and follow them on LinkedIn for job alerts
  • Join local professional associations for networking and job leads specific to Ohio
  • Tailor your salary expectations based on the Cincinnati, OH market rate of $94,958
  • Consider roles at varying experience levels—entry positions start at $61,325 in this market

Frequently Asked Questions

The median general manager salary in Cincinnati, OH is $94,958 per year ($45.65/hour) as of 2026. This is based on official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Salaries range from $61,325 for entry-level positions to $132,261 for experienced professionals in the top 10%.

Entry-level general managers in Cincinnati, OH typically start at around $61,325 per year ($29.48/hour), representing the 10th percentile. New graduates and those with less than 2 years of experience fall into this range. With experience and skill development, salaries can progress to the median of $94,958 within 3-5 years.

General Managers in Cincinnati, OH earn a median hourly wage of $45.65 per hour. Hourly rates range from $29.48/hour at entry-level (10th percentile) to $63.59/hour for top earners (90th percentile). Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, this translates to annual salaries between $61,325 and $132,261.

The median general manager salary of $94,958 in Cincinnati, OH is slightly below the national median of $101,280 (6.2% lower). The cost of living is also 9% below average. This salary places you at the 50th percentile, meaning half of general managers in the area earn more and half earn less.

General Managers in Cincinnati, OH earn slightly below the national average. The local median salary of $94,958 is 6.2% lower than the national median of $101,280. The cost of living is also 9% below average. When adjusted for cost of living, the effective salary is approximately $104,007.

The top 10% of general managers in Cincinnati, OH earn $132,261 or more per year ($63.59/hour). These top earners typically have 10+ years of experience, advanced certifications, specialized expertise, or hold senior/management positions. The 75th percentile earns $116,712, which is a realistic goal for mid-career professionals.

Key skills that can boost general manager salary in Cincinnati, OH include: Strong communication and interpersonal abilities, Problem-solving and critical thinking, Technical proficiency relevant to the field, Attention to detail and organizational skills. Professionals with these skills often earn above the median of $94,958, potentially reaching the 75th percentile ($116,712) or higher. Years of relevant experience

Cincinnati, OH has a moderate job market for general managers, with approximately 1,807 professionals employed in the area. The median salary of $94,958 is slightly below the national average. The cost of living is also 9% below average. Job seekers should consider both salary and local industry demand when evaluating opportunities.

Compare your general manager salary to these Cincinnati, OH benchmarks: 10th percentile (entry-level): $61,325, 25th percentile: $77,712, 50th percentile (median): $94,958, 75th percentile: $116,712, 90th percentile (top earners): $132,261. If you earn more than $94,958, you're above average for the area.

Beyond the $94,958 median base salary, general managers in Cincinnati, OH typically receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement plans (401k with employer matching), paid time off (15-25 days), and potentially bonuses or profit-sharing. Total compensation including benefits typically adds 25-40% to base salary value.

Experienced general managers with 5-10 years in Cincinnati, OH typically earn $116,712 (75th percentile) to $132,261 (90th percentile) per year. Senior professionals with 10+ years, certifications, or management roles can reach the top 10% at $132,261. Mid-career professionals (3-5 years) usually earn around the median of $94,958.

General Managers in Cincinnati, OH can see significant salary growth over their careers. Entry-level ($61,325) to median ($94,958) typically takes 3-5 years. Reaching the 90th percentile ($132,261) may take 10+ years and often requires specialized skills, certifications, or leadership experience. That's a potential growth of $70,936 over a career.

Data Source & Methodology

Official government statistics you can trust

Primary Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program

Visit Official BLS Website

Data Year

2024

2 Years Old

Geographic Area

Cincinnati

Metropolitan Statistical Area

Occupation Code

11-1021

SOC Classification

Sample Size

1,807

Employees Surveyed

How This Data Is Collected

The OEWS program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations across all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Approximately 1.1 million establishments are surveyed over a three-year period, representing the most comprehensive wage data available for the U.S. labor market.

Note: Percentile wages represent actual reported wages and may differ from individual compensation packages that include benefits, bonuses, and equity.

Last updated: January 23, 2026

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General Manager in Cincinnati, OH

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Median: $94,958/yr

How Cincinnati, OH Compares

vs National Average

$101,280

-6.2%

vs Ohio Average

$100,265

-5.3%

Cost-of-Living Adjusted

$104,007

+9.5%

Cost of living in Cincinnati, OH is 8.7% below the national average.

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