How to become a facilities manager

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

Steps to get there

Most employers expect most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree..Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

What facilities managers do

• Acquire, distribute and store supplies.
• Dispose of, or oversee the disposal of, surplus or unclaimed property.
• Monitor the facility to ensure that it remains safe, secure, and well-maintained.
• Oversee the maintenance and repair of machinery, equipment, and electrical and mechanical systems.
• Set goals and deadlines for the department.
• Conduct classes to teach procedures to staff.

Skills that matter most

• Speaking
• Reading Comprehension
• Active Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Monitoring
• Writing
• Active Learning
• Learning Strategies

Is facilities manager a good career?

On the numbers, this job pays above the typical job. Median pay is 109% above the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.

Where it pays most

• Washington $139,990
• New York $131,350
• Delaware $129,260
• New Jersey $124,110
• Massachusetts $124,100

Facilities Managers salary by state and city

Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.