How to become a Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Manager

Official title: Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers

Also called: Apartment Manager, Commercial Property Manager, Community Association Manager, Community Manager, Lease Administration Supervisor, Leasing Manager, Onsite Manager, Property Manager, Real Estate Manager, Resident Manager

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).

Main tasks

• Manage and oversee operations, maintenance, administration, and improvement of commercial, industrial, or residential properties.
• Direct collection of monthly assessments, rental fees, and deposits and payment of insurance premiums, mortgage, taxes, and incurred operating expenses.
• Plan, schedule, and coordinate general maintenance, major repairs, and remodeling or construction projects for commercial or residential properties.
• Prepare detailed budgets and financial reports for properties.
• Act as liaisons between on-site managers or tenants and owners.
• Solicit and analyze bids from contractors for repairs, renovations, and maintenance.
• Meet with clients to negotiate management and service contracts, determine priorities, and discuss the financial and operational status of properties.
• Clean common areas, change light bulbs, and make minor property repairs.

How to become one

Property, real estate, and community association managers typically need a high school diploma combined with several years of related work experience for entry-level positions, although employers may prefer to hire college graduates. Some managers also must have a state-issued license.

Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

• Apprenticeship: Facility Manager.
• Licence: A licence is required in 13 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $69,990 a year The middle half earn $50,720 to $97,910.
• About 460,400 people work in this job now, and about 477,600 are projected by 2035. (+3.7%)
• People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Manager?

Property, real estate, and community association managers typically need a high school diploma combined with several years of related work experience for entry-level positions, although employers may prefer to hire college graduates. Some managers also must have a state-issued license.

How much does a Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Manager earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $69,990 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $50,720 to $97,910.

Is a Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Manager a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4% by 2035, from about 460,400 to about 477,600 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Manager?

Not always. 43% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Facility Manager.

Will AI change the work of a Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Manager?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

• Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.