CARRERS I COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT

PictureCommunity managers have the fulfilling job of cultivating strong residential communities. Leadership, efficiency, and good people skills are the ingredients for success, as you will be working with residents, leasing professionals, maintenance technicians, and industry suppliers, among others. If you have what it takes, you can move from small apartment communities to larger communities with a larger budget and more staff - and eventually oversee a real estate portfolio.

QUALITIES OF A SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY MANAGER

  • Communication: Good writing and speaking skills so you can clearly convey policies, requests, and responses to questions to residents, employees, and suppliers.
  • Organization: Ability to create and maintain systems for storing and retrieving resident records, employee files, and other building information
  • Computer Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel, and comfort with learning to use property management software
  • Training and Development: Ability to lead by example, motivate a team, and mentor employees
  • Financial Understanding: Capacity to maintain and analyze budgets, profit and loss, accounts receivable, accounts payable, spreadsheets and databases 
  • Learn more about assistant community management by downloading this brochure.
  • Learn more about community management by downloading this brochure.​

education & training for rpm careers

Careers in residential property management (RPM) are a good fit for many college graduates. Some colleges offer an RPM degree, but many other college majors are applicable to the industry as well. They include, but are not limited to, accounting, finance, marketing, business management and administration, communications, information technology, and human resources. Because of the need for employees who enjoy people interaction, many of the industry’s successful employees were education, psychology and sociology majors in college. Best of all, most RPM companies offer ongoing training and certifications to help enhance your professional development.

community manager annual base salary range*

One of the RPM industry’s great benefits is compensation for your knowledge and growth, no matter which career path you choose.

  • Entry Level: $37,500 – $49,100
  • Experienced: $49,100 – $76,700
  • Regional Supervisor: $89,400 – $116,000
  • Work Hours: Full Time
  • Rent Benefits: Some employers offer rent reduction of 20 percent or more
  • Benefits: Health insurance, life insurance, retirement plan, tuition assistance
  • Additional Earnings: Bonus pay of 14-16.8 percent of salary
  • Training: Support for continuing education and earning professional credentials


*Source: CEL & Associates 2013 Real Estate Compensation Survey; exact salaries depend on geographic location, relevant experience, and company policy.