How much does a food service manager make?
The median food service manager in the United States earns $65,310 per year, about $31.40 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all food service managers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 11-9051.
Food service manager salary range
Pay for food service managers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $42,380 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $105,420. The average (mean) wage of $72,370 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $42,380 | $20.37 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $53,090 | $25.52 | |
| Median (50th) | $65,310 | $31.40 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $82,300 | $39.57 | |
| 90th percentile | $105,420 | $50.68 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for food service managers (SOC 11-9051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Food service manager salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Food service managers earn the most in Washington at $92,290 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $50,920. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $92,290 | 1,870 |
| Massachusetts | $85,940 | 3,920 |
| Hawaii | $82,380 | 1,240 |
| Alaska | $82,300 | 430 |
| Rhode Island | $82,300 | 860 |
| Colorado | $82,270 | 1,850 |
| New York | $80,170 | 12,260 |
| District of Columbia | $80,040 | 1,260 |
| New Jersey | $79,370 | 5,100 |
| Connecticut | $76,860 | 1,620 |
| Minnesota | $76,780 | 670 |
| Delaware | $76,210 | 580 |
| New Hampshire | $75,190 | 740 |
| California | $75,140 | 38,960 |
| Vermont | $72,740 | 650 |
| Virginia | $67,910 | 4,380 |
| Maryland | $67,290 | N/A |
| North Carolina | $65,770 | 7,970 |
| Iowa | $65,600 | 1,430 |
| Illinois | $65,130 | 12,320 |
| North Dakota | $64,940 | 850 |
| Maine | $64,410 | 1,150 |
| Georgia | $63,980 | 7,240 |
| Oklahoma | $63,930 | 2,310 |
| Florida | $63,650 | 21,960 |
| Oregon | $63,600 | 4,310 |
| Montana | $63,370 | 910 |
| Arizona | $63,310 | 5,010 |
| South Carolina | $63,080 | 4,360 |
| New Mexico | $62,860 | 1,620 |
| Texas | $62,610 | 20,080 |
| Kansas | $62,490 | 1,620 |
| Idaho | $62,480 | 330 |
| Pennsylvania | $62,250 | 7,910 |
| Louisiana | $62,170 | 1,740 |
| Indiana | $61,930 | 5,270 |
| Michigan | $61,400 | 9,490 |
| Missouri | $61,220 | 1,830 |
| Tennessee | $61,000 | 5,400 |
| Nevada | $60,740 | 4,000 |
| Ohio | $60,650 | 11,420 |
| Nebraska | $60,600 | 1,770 |
| South Dakota | $60,600 | 1,200 |
| Wyoming | $60,570 | 600 |
| Kentucky | $60,340 | 1,550 |
| Alabama | $59,920 | 5,090 |
| Utah | $57,450 | 2,020 |
| Wisconsin | $56,510 | 5,880 |
| Arkansas | $53,880 | 2,040 |
| Mississippi | $51,430 | 2,370 |
| West Virginia | $50,920 | 1,250 |
State median wages for food service managers (SOC 11-9051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for food service managers
The BLS projects employment of food service managers to grow 5.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 344,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 364,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 38,800 openings a year for food service managers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a food service manager
The typical entry-level education for food service managers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a food service manager earns
Company size, industry, and metro area drive most of the pay gap. Executives and managers at large firms in major markets sit near the top of the range, while smaller organizations and rural areas pay lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $92,290) and the lowest (West Virginia, $50,920) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 244,230 people work as food service managers in the United States. At $65,310 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Food service manager salary FAQ
How much does a food service manager make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a food service manager is $31.40. The middle half of food service managers earn between $25.52 and $39.57 per hour.
What is the highest food service manager salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of food service managers earn more than $105,420 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a food service manager make a year?
The median annual salary for a food service manager is $65,310. The average (mean) wage of $72,370 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a food service manager a well paid job?
At $65,310 a year, a food service manager earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 244,230 people work as food service managers in the United States.
Which state pays food service managers the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for food service managers at $92,290 a year. Massachusetts ($85,940) and Hawaii ($82,380) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a food service manager a good career?
Employment of food service managers is projected to grow 5.8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 38,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a food service manager?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for food service managers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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