Real Estate Agent
Help people buy, sell and rent homes and property: licensed by your state.
- $52,830
- 1–6 months (licensing)
Business & Office career
Property Manager
Also called: Apartment Manager · Community Manager · Leasing Manager · Real Estate Manager
What property managers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a property manager do?
Property, real estate and community association managers oversee rental properties and associations, handling leasing, rent collection, maintenance, budgets, vendors and resident relations. The median pay is $69,990 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1–3 years of experience, and employment is projected to grow +3.7% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$69,990$33.65/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+3.7%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year36,900Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to train1–3 years of experienceTypical program length
- U.S. jobs460,400Employment, 2025
What property managers do
Property managers keep buildings full, safe and profitable. They market and lease units, screen applicants, collect rent, coordinate maintenance and contractors, manage budgets, enforce leases and handle resident issues. Community association managers run condo and homeowners associations, working with boards on budgets and rules.
Most property managers start as leasing agents or assistant managers. Some states require a real estate license for certain property management activities. Credentials such as the CAM, ARM and CPM support advancement to regional and portfolio management.
Typical duties
- Market and lease vacant units
- Screen applicants following fair housing laws
- Collect rent and manage delinquencies
- Coordinate maintenance and vendors
- Prepare and manage property budgets
- Respond to resident concerns
- Enforce leases and handle notices
Work environment and schedule
Property managers work in on-site leasing offices and walk the property. Some manage several properties and drive between them.
Schedule: Most work full-time with some evenings and weekends, plus on-call emergencies.
A day in the life
- Review overnight maintenance requests and the vacancy report.
- Meet the maintenance supervisor about a roof leak.
- Give a tour to a prospective resident.
- Review rent delinquencies and send notices.
See a full day in the life of a property manager →
Property Manager salary
Half of property managers earned more than $69,990 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $41,010 for the lowest 10% to $139,680 for the top 10%.
Full property manager pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a property manager
- Start as a leasing agent
- Become an assistant manager
- Earn credentials
- Become a property manager
- Advance
A high school diploma plus experience is typical; many property managers have degrees in business or real estate. Some states require a real estate license for leasing or management activities.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a property manager →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Leasing and marketing
- Fair housing compliance
- Property management software
- Budgeting
- Vendor management
People skills
- Customer service
- Conflict resolution
- Organization
- Leadership
All property manager skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Variety of tasks
- No degree required for many roles
- Growth to regional management
- Some roles include housing discounts
Cons
- Difficult residents and evictions
- On-call emergencies
- Pressure to hit occupancy and budget goals
- Many details at once
Certifications and licenses
- Certified Apartment Manager (CAM): National Apartment Association credential.
- Certified Property Manager (CPM): IREM credential for senior managers.
- Accredited Residential Manager (ARM): IREM credential for residential managers.
- Real estate license: Required in some states for property management.
Career path
- Leasing Agent: Lease units and serve residents.
- Assistant Property Manager: Handle rent and operations.
- Property Manager: Run a property.
- Regional or Portfolio Manager: Oversee multiple properties.
Learn the job before day one
Our Property Manager training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as lead a prospective resident tour and handle a late rent payment, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Property Manager vs. Real Estate Agent · Property Manager vs. Real Estate Broker · Property Manager vs. Building Maintenance Tech · Property Manager vs. Office Manager
Property Manager FAQ
Do property managers need a license?
It depends on the state; some require a real estate license.
Do I need a degree?
Not always. Many managers start as leasing agents.
Is it stressful?
It can be, especially with emergencies and difficult residents.
How much does a property manager make?
The median annual wage for property managers was $69,990 ($33.65 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $41,010 and the highest 10% earned more than $139,680.
How long does it take to become a property manager?
Most people need about 1–3 years of experience of training. A high school diploma plus experience is typical; many property managers have degrees in business or real estate. Some states require a real estate license for leasing or management activities.
Do you need a degree to be a property manager?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.
More property manager questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 11-9141 (Property, real estate, and community association managers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Property, real estate, and community association managers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.