What does a Facility Manager do?
A facilities manager's duties will vary depending on the nature of the organization, but generally entail maintaining the buildings and grounds of an organization, overseeing the upkeep of equipment and supplies, determining and scheduling repairs or renovation projects, and coordinating safety inspections. Facilities managers are in charge of a budget and must negotiate with outside vendors for supplies, repairs, and other measures.
You Don't need to have a specific degree for this position, but a background in building services and engineering, office management, or administration is preferred.
- Ensure that the facility is fully operational with all utilities functioning properly
- Schedule and supervise maintenance repair work and assist with checking installation and servicing building equipment
- Maintain stock levels and parts within budget
- Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, and assist with energy management
- Oversee security of buildings and grounds
- Maintain ongoing communication with contractors, clients, and team
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, or equivalent professional level experience
- 3-5 years of experience in facilities maintenance or equivalent related functions
- Knowledge of OSHA and other environmental regulations
- Knowledge of general maintenance methods, operating requirements, and safety precautions related to facilities management
- Must be a well organized, detail and customer (internal and external) oriented self-starter
- Srong procurement and negotiation skills
Facility Manager Salaries
Average Base Pay
Facility Manager Career Path
Learn how to become a Facility Manager, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Facility Manager Insights
BISSELL“Initial starting wage seemed appropriate and I was assured I would receive a 90 day increase.”
SAFE Credit Union“I just started a year ago and it is the best move I have ever made!”
Amicus Technology“Good payment for your work and recognizes you if you and your work is worth of.”
New England Biolabs“life balance culture where I found myself struggling to balance being a good husband/father and focusing on my career.”
CBRE“They have some really great people and some of the best managers I've ever worked with.”
SGS Consulting“Pay information is not available until day of pay not available prior to to catch discrepancies.”
Rivian“Large focus on hiring some of the best people in the industry to meet extremely aggressive goals.”
JLL“I started as a specialized technician and was encouraged to learn project management elements because I was good at documentation and computers.”
Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of facilities managers
A facilities manager spends a typical day working for a property management company or independent business to inspect and maintain the building's plumbing, electrical, air conditioning, heating, and landscaping. They spend each day scheduling janitorial services, communicating with guests and vendors, and performing emergency repairs if needed.
Due to the rise in smart buildings and flexible work environments, facilities management is an in-demand profession. Companies need someone to generate a positive return on investment from these facilities, and a facilities manager can do just that. An advantage of becoming a facilities manager is that most workdays are never the same.
Facilities managers can earn a very reasonable salary. The average base salary for facilities managers in the United States is $5,000 per year depending on the location. Highly experienced professionals can make upwards of $8,000 per year depending on their education and location.
Facilities managers often operate behind the scenes, but their hard work is noticed daily. These positions aren't entry-level jobs, and most people begin as engineers and building managers and work their way up. One of the hardest parts about working as a facilities manager is constantly dealing with various types of issues.