What Food Service Managers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Food Service Managers this way: "Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that serves food and beverages."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Test cooked food by tasting and smelling it to ensure palatability and flavor conformity"; "Investigate and resolve complaints regarding food quality, service, or accommodations"; "Schedule and receive food and beverage deliveries, checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity"; "Monitor food preparation methods, portion sizes, and garnishing and presentation of food to ensure that food is prepared and presented in an acceptable manner"; "Monitor budgets and payroll records, and review financial transactions to ensure that expenditures are authorized and budgeted".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Work experience in a related occupation is typically less than 5 years. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is short-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Food Service Managers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 344,300 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 364,200 in 2035, an increase of 19,900 jobs (+5.8%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 38,800 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 11.3% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 30.6% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $69,390, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Food Service Managers earn the most
Across the 5 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $64,195 in Illinois to $81,702 in New York, a gap of $17,507 (1.27 times). 3 of those 5 states average above the BLS national median of $69,390 and 2 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 32,710, which is 36.7% of the 89,050 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 16,470.
Highest-paying states
New York ($81,702), New Jersey ($79,741) and California ($78,611) lead the ranking, while Illinois ($64,195) and Indiana ($67,419) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Food Service Managers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 5 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Bergen County, NJ (New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ) at $32,500. The smallest margin is $21,765 in Los Angeles County, CA.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 5 of the 5 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 26.7% and 52.0% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Food Service Managers
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (11-9000) include Natural Sciences Managers, Architectural and Engineering Managers, Medical and Health Services Managers and Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary.
Frequently asked questions about Food Service Managers
How much do Food Service Managers earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $69,390. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $64,195 to $81,702.
Which state pays Food Service Managers the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $81,702. New Jersey is next at $79,741.
Is Food Service Managers a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 5.8% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 38,800 openings a year.
What education do Food Service Managers need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent, with work experience in a related occupation of less than 5 years and short-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Food Service Managers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Bergen County, NJ leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $32,500 on a median wage of $82,970.