Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that serves food and beverages.
Food Service Managers
SOC: 11-9051 O*NET: 11-9051.00
Median Salary
$65,310
per year
Job Growth
📈 6.4%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
42
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that serves food and beverages.
What does a Food Service Managers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$42,380
10th percentile
Early Career
$53,090
25th percentile
Median
$65,310
50th percentile
Experienced
$82,300
75th percentile
Top Earners
$105,420
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$42,380
25th
$53,090
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$65,310
Mean: $72,370
75th
$82,300
90th
$105,420
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $63,040 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $53,090 and $82,300
- •Salary spread is 44.7% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 244,230 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:352,800
Top Industries
Food Services and Drinking Places80.4%
Restaurants and Other Eating Places72%
Full-Service Restaurants35.9%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+6.4%
Annual Openings:42,000
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)352,800
Current
2034 (Projected)375,300
+6.4%
+22,600
Employment Change
+6.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Food Service Managers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
38,960 jobs$75,1401.36x
Florida
21,960 jobs$63,6501.41x
Texas
20,080 jobs$62,6100.92x
Illinois
12,320 jobs$65,1301.28x
New York
12,260 jobs$80,1700.81x
Ohio
11,420 jobs$60,6501.31x
Michigan
9,490 jobs$61,4001.36x
North Carolina
7,970 jobs$65,7701.03x
Pennsylvania
7,910 jobs$62,2500.83x
Georgia
7,240 jobs$63,9800.94x
Wisconsin
5,880 jobs$56,5101.27x
Tennessee
5,400 jobs$61,0001.04x
Indiana
5,270 jobs$61,9301.04x
New Jersey
5,100 jobs$79,3700.76x
Alabama
5,090 jobs$59,9201.54x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Monitoring
100%
#2
Management of Personnel Resources
94%
#3
Speaking
86%
#4
Active Listening
80%
#5
Coordination
74%
#6
Reading Comprehension
66%
#7
Service Orientation
60%
#8
Social Perceptiveness
54%
#9
Critical Thinking
46%
#10
Time Management
40%
Skills Overview
Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Management of Personnel Resources
advanced4.7
94%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Active Listening
intermediate4.0
80%
Coordination
intermediate3.7
74%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.3
66%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.0
60%
Social Perceptiveness
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Management of Personnel Resources
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers100%
5 shared skills
Parking Enforcement Workers90%
5 shared skills
Counter and Rental Clerks82%
5 shared skills
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks82%
5 shared skills
Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks82%
5 shared skills
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Management of Personnel Resources
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Service Orientation
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Reading Comprehension
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Management of Personnel Resources
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Listening
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Food Service Managers
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Dynamics
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Project
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechGoogle Docs
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Dynamics
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Project
Microsoft Excel
Facebook
Google Docs
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (8)Documentation & Record-Keeping (5)Communication & Coordination (2)Operations & Execution (3)Analysis & Evaluation (3)
1
Test cooked food by tasting and smelling it to ensure palatability and flavor conformity.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Investigate and resolve complaints regarding food quality, service, or accommodations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Schedule and receive food and beverage deliveries, checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Monitor food preparation methods, portion sizes, and garnishing and presentation of food to ensure that food is prepared and presented in an acceptable manner.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform94%
5
Monitor budgets and payroll records, and review financial transactions to ensure that expenditures are authorized and budgeted.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform92%
6
Schedule staff hours and assign duties.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Monitor compliance with health and fire regulations regarding food preparation and serving, and building maintenance in lodging and dining facilities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Coordinate assignments of cooking personnel to ensure economical use of food and timely preparation.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination79% perform86%
9
Keep records required by government agencies regarding sanitation or food subsidies.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Establish standards for personnel performance and customer service.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Operations & Execution73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Food Service Managers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Food Service Managers professionals typically have a ECR Holland code and highly value independence
EEnterprising
CConventional
RRealistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Food Service Managers
Leadership
CriticalLeadership
Importance Level4.62
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.53
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.52
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.38
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.38
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.33
Complete Work Styles Profile
Leadership
4.6
Dependability
4.5
Cooperation
4.5
Stress Tolerance
4.4
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Self-Control
4.3
Initiative
4.3
Integrity
4.3
Persistence
4.3
Attention to Detail
4.2
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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