What Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers this way: "Plan, direct, or coordinate the selling, buying, leasing, or governance activities of commercial, industrial, or residential real estate properties. Includes managers of homeowner and condominium associations, rented or leased housing units, buildings, or land (including rights-of-way)."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Direct collection of monthly assessments, rental fees, and deposits and payment of insurance premiums, mortgage, taxes, and incurred operating expenses"; "Inspect grounds, facilities, and equipment routinely to determine necessity of repairs or maintenance"; "Investigate complaints, disturbances, and violations and resolve problems, following management rules and regulations"; "Plan, schedule, and coordinate general maintenance, major repairs, and remodeling or construction projects for commercial or residential properties"; "Manage and oversee operations, maintenance, administration, and improvement of commercial, industrial, or residential properties".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Work experience in a related occupation is typically less than 5 years. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is short-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 460,400 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 477,600 in 2035, an increase of 17,200 jobs (+3.7%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 36,900 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 8.0% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 31.3% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $69,990, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers earn the most
Across the 12 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $63,158 in Arizona to $93,675 in New York, a gap of $30,517 (1.48 times). 9 of those 12 states average above the BLS national median of $69,990 and 3 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 47,560, which is 20.5% of the 231,810 counted across them. Texas follows with 36,950.
Highest-paying states
New York ($93,675), District of Columbia ($92,750) and New Jersey ($89,904) lead the ranking, while Arizona ($63,158) and Texas ($63,642) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 14 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Jefferson County, WV (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV) at $50,493. The smallest margin is $21,386 in Los Angeles County, CA.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 14 of the 14 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 18.0% and 48.2% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (11-9000) include Natural Sciences Managers, Architectural and Engineering Managers, Medical and Health Services Managers and Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary.
Frequently asked questions about Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers
What is the national median wage for Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $69,990. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $63,158 to $93,675.
Which state pays Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $93,675. District of Columbia is next at $92,750.
What is the job outlook for Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers?
BLS projects employment to grow by 3.7% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 36,900 openings a year.
What education do Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent, with work experience in a related occupation of less than 5 years and short-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Jefferson County, WV leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $50,493 on a median wage of $92,750.