By Madeline Bury
Madeline Bury writes about jobs and job searching for The Balance. She covers topics related to job changes, job searching, and returning from maternity leave, and has been writing for The Balance since 2014.
Introduction
Some people dream of taking on managerial roles. These natural leaders love giving individual feedback, have a knack for seeing the big picture, enjoy leading team efforts, and possess other managerial skills.
But this is certainly not the case for everyone, and it often seems that the only way to earn a higher salary requires taking on a managerial position. So what does a person who doesn’t want to manage a team do to reach that higher salary?
Learn about some characteristics of management-level positions (and the reasons some people prefer to avoid them), as well as ways to build a thriving career based on a non-managerial path.
Differences Between Managerial and Non-Managerial Jobs
The key difference between a managerial job and a non-managerial job is people. Managers lead teams and departments or units, supervising direct reports and spending most of their time managing employees, while non-managers perform tasks and complete assignments.
There is also a significant salary gap, with managerial positions generally paying more than non-managerial ones. The median annual salary for managerial jobs was $102,450 in May 2021, compared to the median annual salary for all jobs at $45,760.
Benefits of Non-Managerial Jobs
Let’s talk about what some people find off-putting about management. For many, the annoying thing is the detachment from tangible work. As a manager, you are responsible for team output, but that likely means you won’t be programming, writing, designing, or producing yourself. Instead, you manage the workers.
A lot is accomplished thanks to the work of managers, but you may not feel the same sense of achievement at the end of the day (or when a project is completed).
On the other hand, others find the meetings, paperwork, and office politics that accompany the role exhausting or undesirable or energy-draining.
Managers need to engage with and advocate for the company’s strategy, even if they do not agree with it. Communication is a big part of this role (so it’s not ideal for anyone struggling with this soft skill). This includes having challenging conversations with employees when their work is unsatisfactory, when promotion is out of reach, or to inform them about layoffs.
All these leadership and managerial responsibilities are suited to some workers and unsuitable for others. Fortunately, there are ways to build a thriving career and earn a good salary without committing to a managerial role.
How to Succeed Without Following an Management Path
1. Tell People
Instead of being vague, be explicit about the career path you desire. Start with the interview process: during the interview, ask about career growth opportunities at the company, as well as the path of the person who held the position you are applying for.
The answers will help reveal whether the company tends to promote skilled workers into management or offers promotions unrelated to such work. You can also express your preference if asked when they say: “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
Alternatively, you could tell your manager directly after being hired and open a dialogue about how to develop your career without moving into management.
2. Look for Flat Organizational Structures
Some companies have a kind of “up or out” policy; if skilled employees are not promoted to higher positions, the company concludes that the employee may not be a good fit. Of course, these companies should be avoided if you are not interested in pursuing a managerial job. Try to identify these companies while job hunting and instead choose to apply to jobs in companies with a flat hierarchy, where middle management levels are eliminated.
3.
I am considering working as a contractor
Working as a contractor can be a way to avoid management while retaining a lot of responsibility and exciting challenges, along with getting paid. However, working as a contractor can be unpredictable, and it also means you’ll need to know your own benefits. But you may find that this is the right path for you.
4. Working in a startup or small company
Startups and small companies often have small teams and employees with big titles. The “Chief Financial Officer” may be the only person on the finance team.
5. Politely say no
Here’s a way to avoid the management path: don’t accept job offers that involve management, and don’t take promotion opportunities presented in your current job. Of course, you’ll want to be thoughtful and courteous in how you decline any opportunity – especially if it’s in your current job. So:
- Express gratitude: It’s encouraging when your company wants to promote you, so be sure to acknowledge that positive feedback.
- Explain yourself: Be straightforward about the reasons you prefer not to take your career in that direction. You may find that the person who wants to promote you shares some of those concerns by changing the job description or required tasks.
6. Ask for a salary increase – not a promotion
You may find that the most important thing you can do at work is to demonstrate your value – and then ask for a salary increase instead of a promotion during your annual review.
To prove your value, track your significant accomplishments. Make sure it is clear how the work you do – completing projects on time, bringing in clients, executing key tasks, etc. – contributes to the company. This will make it easier for you to show that you are providing real value where you are and that it would not be beneficial for you to move into a management position.
Although raises and promotions often go hand in hand, you may be able to demonstrate the benefit of giving you a substantial raise to your organization without a title change, or with a title change that does not involve management responsibilities (think “senior”).
If the promotion is important to you – or required in your company for employees to receive a raise – try to take on a strategic role that involves thinking about the big picture or working as a project lead or implementing on a larger scale, but a role that does not include the other tasks of a management job.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the highest-paying non-managerial business jobs?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the highest-paying jobs in business and finance include accountants and auditors, budget analysts, claims adjusters, compensation specialists, cost estimators, and financial analysts.
What is the best way to decline a promotion to a managerial position?
Even if you do not want the promotion that has been offered to you, it’s important to express gratitude for the offer. Before you decline, assess the impact of your decision on your career path in the organization. Then, discuss it with your manager and explain the reasons you would like to decline the promotion. It’s important to make a case for why it would make sense for you to remain in your current position.
Sources
The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts in our articles. Check out our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and maintain the accuracy, reliability, and quality of our content.
Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Management occupations.”
University of Pennsylvania. “Management vs. Non-Management.”
Quartz at Work.
“We have built a ‘career map’ to help non-managers find ways to advance.”
DDI.com. “What Great Leaders Do: Nine Roles of Strategic Leadership.” Page 1.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Business and Finance Jobs.”
Source: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/how-to-make-more-money-if-you-don-t-want-to-be-a-manager-4773370
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