USA Career Guide- Property, Real Estate, or Community Association Manager

Education requirements vary greatly based on specific job duties. A college education is preferred but not always required for straightforward administrative positions.

Many employers prefer to hire college graduates for property management positions, particularly for offsite positions dealing with a property’s finances or contract management. Employers also prefer to hire college graduates to manage commercial properties. A bachelor's or master's degree in business administration, accounting, finance, real estate, or public administration is preferred for these positions.

Certification reveals competence and professionalism thus many property, real estate, and community association managers get professional certification. With related job experience, completing these programs and receiving a satisfactory score on a written exam can lead to certification or the formal award of a professional designation by the sponsoring association.

The median annual wage of property, real estate, and community association managers was $51,480 in May 2010. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $26,180, and the top 10 percent earned more than $111,320.
(Source:Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition)

Employment of property, real estate, and community association managers is expected to grow 6 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations.
It is a rewarding career for those with a college degree in business administration, real estate, or a related field and for those who get a professional certification. Because of the projected increase in the elderly population, particularly good job opportunities are expected for those with experience managing housing for older people and with experience managing healthcare facilities.