Food Service Manager Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · High Demand
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $93,604 | +55.0% | High |
| District of Columbia | $91,793 | +52.0% | High |
| California | $85,754 | +42.0% | High |
| New York | $83,338 | +38.0% | High |
| Alaska | $79,715 | +32.0% | High |
| Massachusetts | $78,507 | +30.0% | High |
| New Jersey | $77,299 | +28.0% | High |
| Washington | $75,488 | +25.0% | High |
| Connecticut | $73,676 | +22.0% | High |
| Maryland | $69,448 | +15.0% | High |
| Rhode Island | $69,448 | +15.0% | High |
| New Hampshire | $68,845 | +14.0% | High |
| Oregon | $67,637 | +12.0% | High |
| Colorado | $66,429 | +10.0% | High |
| Virginia | $66,429 | +10.0% | High |
| Vermont | $65,221 | +8.0% | High |
| Delaware | $63,410 | +5.0% | High |
| Illinois | $63,410 | +5.0% | High |
| Maine | $61,598 | +2.0% | High |
| Nevada | $61,598 | +2.0% | High |
| Minnesota | $60,390 | +0.0% | High |
| Utah | $60,390 | +0.0% | High |
| Arizona | $59,786 | -1.0% | High |
| Pennsylvania | $59,786 | -1.0% | High |
| Florida | $59,182 | -2.0% | High |
| Montana | $57,370 | -5.0% | High |
| Texas | $57,370 | -5.0% | High |
| Georgia | $56,163 | -7.0% | High |
| Idaho | $56,163 | -7.0% | High |
| Wyoming | $56,163 | -7.0% | High |
| North Dakota | $55,559 | -8.0% | High |
| Wisconsin | $55,559 | -8.0% | High |
| North Carolina | $54,955 | -9.0% | High |
| Michigan | $54,351 | -10.0% | High |
| Louisiana | $53,143 | -12.0% | High |
| Nebraska | $53,143 | -12.0% | High |
| New Mexico | $53,143 | -12.0% | High |
| Ohio | $53,143 | -12.0% | High |
| South Carolina | $53,143 | -12.0% | High |
| Tennessee | $53,143 | -12.0% | High |
| Alabama | $52,539 | -13.0% | High |
| Missouri | $52,539 | -13.0% | High |
| South Dakota | $52,539 | -13.0% | High |
| Iowa | $51,935 | -14.0% | High |
| Indiana | $51,332 | -15.0% | High |
| Kansas | $51,332 | -15.0% | High |
| Oklahoma | $50,728 | -16.0% | High |
| Arkansas | $50,124 | -17.0% | High |
| Kentucky | $50,124 | -17.0% | High |
| Mississippi | $48,312 | -20.0% | High |
| West Virginia | $47,104 | -22.0% | High |
A Food Service Manager's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Food Service Managers typically earn $38,744–$51,842 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $81,313–$92,883 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Food Service Manager role currently has high demand in the job market with a 3.0% growth rate, making it one of the steadily growing careers in the Hospitality sector.
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What is the average salary for a Food Service Manager?The average salary for a Food Service Manager in the United States is $60,390 per year, with a median of $57,440.
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What is the starting salary for a Food Service Manager?Entry-level Food Service Managers typically earn between $38,744 and $51,842 per year depending on location and employer.
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What state pays Food Service Managers the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Food Service Managers the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
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How much does a Food Service Manager make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $60,390, a Food Service Manager earns approximately $29.03 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
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Is Food Service Manager a good career in 2026?Yes — the Food Service Manager role has high demand with 3.0% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.