What is a property manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Expert
Jeyoung (Jenny) Oh Ph.D.
introduction image

A property manager oversees the day-to-day operations of a real estate property on behalf of the owner. They ensure the property is in good condition, collect rent, handle tenant disputes, and maintain relationships. A property manager also markets the property, screens potential tenants, and ensures legal compliance. They act as a liaison between the owner and tenants. Some property managers also oversee commercial properties such as office buildings, shopping centers, and industrial complexes.

What general advice would you give to a Property Manager?

J

Jeyoung (Jenny) Oh Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Communication, University of Michigan-Flint

If you work from home, it could be hard to separate your work time from your personal time. Make sure to take some time off to take care of yourself. It is important not only for your work performance but also for your well-being. Also, remember that there are many people who are there to support you, so do not hesitate to ask for help and ask questions. Be proactive and reach out to your colleagues. Set a virtual coffee time with your colleagues or manager to get to know them. If possible, join as many virtual workshops provided to you as you can. Those will help you understand the culture of your organization, and it will also be a great way to get to know your colleagues.
ScoreProperty ManagerUS Average
Salary
3.9

Avg. Salary $49,958

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
8.4

Growth Rate 3%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.3
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.59%

Asian 5.25%

Black or African American 8.55%

Hispanic or Latino 17.62%

Unknown 4.13%

White 63.86%

Gender

female 61.94%

male 38.06%

Age - 49
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 - 49
Stress Level
8.4

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
8.6

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
4.8

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

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

Pros

  • Job security due to high demand for property managers

  • Opportunity for career growth and advancement

  • Potential for flexible scheduling and remote work options

  • Competitive salary and benefits packages

  • Potential for commission-based income

Cons

  • High stress levels due to managing multiple properties and tenants

  • Need to be available 24/7 for emergencies or urgent matters

  • Responsibility for maintenance and repairs can be time-consuming and costly

  • Pressure to meet financial goals such as occupancy rates and rental income

  • Risk of burnout due to long hours and high workload

Property Manager career paths

Key steps to become a property manager

  1. Explore property manager education requirements

    Most common property manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    49.9 %

    Associate

    22.7 %

    High School Diploma

    13.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific property manager skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Customer Service15.37%
    Property Management13.63%
    Financial Reports6.63%
    Real Estate6.15%
    Yardi5.57%
  3. Complete relevant property manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New property 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 property manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real property manager resumes.
  4. Gain additional property manager certifications

    Property 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 property manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for property managers include Certified Property Manager (CPM) and Certified Aviation Manager (CAM).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research property manager duties and responsibilities

    • Manage condominiums for individual investors; enforce lease requirements/community policies.
    • Design and manage all company facebook accounts for residents and prospective residents regarding property information and general interest articles.
    • Update resident and unit information utilizing property management software (OneSite )
    • Maintain OSHA files, employee files, payroll files and staff PTO accruals.
  6. Prepare your property manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your property 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 property 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 Property Manager Resume templates

    Build a professional Property 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 Property Manager resume.
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  7. Apply for property manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a property manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Property Manager Job

Zippi

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Average property manager salary

The average Property Manager salary in the United States is $49,958 per year or $24 per hour. Property manager salaries range between $34,000 and $72,000 per year.

Average Property Manager Salary
$49,958 Yearly
$24.02 hourly

What Am I Worth?

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How do property managers rate their job?

5/5

Based On 2 Ratings

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Property Manager reviews

profile
5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2022
Pros

I believe that as a property manager you are trusted with one of the most intimate areas of a persons life!… their home! That’s one heck of a responsibility because , at the end of the day everything starts and ends with home!

Cons

The only thing I don’t like about working in the property management field is having to turn people away or add them to a waitlist. The demand/need for affordable quality housing is so great… it’s nearly impossible to assist everyone you meet because the demand far exceeds the supply. That is so frustrating and leaves me feeling like I’ve let people down when I don’t have anything available. Sometimes hearing the desperation in their voices gets to me and I find myself upset when I am unable yo help them.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2020
Pros

Just being able to take care of rent and things that broke . Living on the premises

Cons

I love it


profile
5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020
Pros

Working with people and providing 4 star service. Great opportunity to prove your leadership skills running a large scale operation.

Cons

If you are not a people person, don't like long hours, or keeping calm in stressful situations, this job is not for you.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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