Many leadership positions pay well, making them the best choices for people with leadership skills. Are you ready to pursue a leadership position? Many major organizations hire professionals for leadership positions, including operations managers, plant supervisors, business managers, production managers, and much more. In this article, we’ve shared 10 leadership positions and their average salaries. Check out this article to learn about different types of leadership positions.
7 Leadership Positions to Consider
Here are 7 leadership positions you can pursue.
| Position | Main Responsibility | Typical Education/Experience | Average Salary* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Department Supervisor | Team and department operations | Varies by employer | $46,676 |
| Plant Supervisor | Manufacturing operations | Experience; education varies | $77,329 |
| Operations Manager | Business operations and efficiency | Often bachelor’s + experience | $86,085 |
| Business Manager | Organizational operations | Often bachelor’s + experience | $88,106 |
| Executive Director | Organizational strategy and administration | Extensive experience; requirements vary | $114,954 |
| Production Manager | Production, quality, safety, and schedules | Often bachelor’s + experience | $86,886 |
| Project Manager | Project scope, schedule, and budget | Experience; certification may help | $84,178 |
1. Department supervisor
Average Salary: $46,676 a year*
What You’ll Do: As a department supervisor, you will perform various tasks, depending on the industry. You are also responsible for assigning and delegating tasks to teams, organizing schedules, and providing performance reviews.
Requirements: A high school diploma, 1 to 2 years of work experience, and strong leadership skills are required.
Department supervisor is a leadership position to consider in 2026. Department supervisors specialize in managing daily team operations, training staff, and serving as a bridge between frontline workers and upper management.
2. Plant supervisor
Average Salary: $77329 per year*
What You’ll Do: You will lead teams by coordinating and planning plant operations as well as monitoring the processes and activities of plant operations within an organization.
Requirements: Strong management skills and experience, along with a bachelor’s degree in a related field, are needed.
Plant supervisors are leadership positions. They oversee daily manufacturing operations, manage shift workflows, and enforce safety rules on the factory floor. As a plant supervisor, you can get an average salary of $77329 per year!
3. Operations Manager
Average Salary: $86,085 per year*
What You’ll Do: As an operations manager, you will perform multiple duties depending on the industry. You will also oversee quality assurance processes, monitor and evaluate processes, and develop strategies.
Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in business, plus hard and soft skills
Operations managers oversee a business’s daily business activities and improve efficiency, productivity, and profitability across different departments. They have the knowledge to perform multiple duties.
4. Business Manager
Average Salary: $88,106 per year*
What You’ll Do: With relevant work experience, a strong skill set, and a bachelor’s degree in a related field, you can work as a business manager within an organization. You will monitor and evaluate an organization’s operations.
Requirements: Strong skills and a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field are required.
A business manager is another leadership position you can get with skills and a bachelor’s degree in a related field. Business managers oversee daily operations, handle staff, and align an organization’s activities.
5. Executive Director
Average Salary: $114,954 per year*
What You’ll Do: As an executive director, you will manage the planning, strategy development, and administrative duties of a business. You will also lead marketing teams to provide them tasks.
Requirements: This position requires at least a master’s degree in a relevant field and relevant skills.
Executive director positions are leadership roles you should consider grabbing if you meet the required knowledge and skills. They have bachelor/master’s degrees in a relevant field and have the required skills to perform many duties. As they are the senior-most executive of companies, they have strong leadership, communication, and attention-to-detail skills.
6. Production Manager
Average Salary: $86,886 per year*
What You’ll Do: Production managers keep business finance and employment issues organized for various industries and organizations. They may also oversee budget spending and are responsible for ensuring projects remain within budget and schedule constraints.
Requirements: To become a production manager, you will meet the required eligibility. A bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related work experience are needed!
A production manager is a leadership position. Overseeing daily manufacturing or production processes within an organization to ensure goods are made efficiently, safely, on schedule, and within budget.
7. Project Manager
Average Salary: $84,178 per year*
What You’ll Do: In this role, you’ll oversee the processes of taking on and completing projects. You may also oversee the planning, development, and implementation of multiple projects, including maintaining budgetary standards and deadlines.
Requirements: This position requires a professional certification like the PMP, along with a bachelor’s degree and 3 to 5 years of experience.
Project managers are leaders within organizations. They also guide a project from start to finish within defined limits of time, budget, and scope.
In addition to these leadership positions, director of operations, plant managers, and brand managers are popular leadership positions.
How to Choose the Right Leadership Position?
To choose the right leadership position, you may require following some steps, which are as follows.
Match Your Skills and Interests.
Consider the Industry.
Check Education and Experience Requirements.
Consider Your Long-Term Career Path.