How to Become a Food Service Manager
Run restaurants and food operations end to end: staffing, service, inventory, and the guest experience. It typically requires an associate degree, with a median salary of $69,390 per year and faster than average projected job growth.
Median pay
$69,390/yr
Job growth
5%
Openings / yr
42,000
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Operations Management
- Staff Scheduling
- Food Safety
- Customer Service
- Cost Control
Helpful certifications
- ServSafe Manager
- FMP (Foodservice Management Professional)
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
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Work-life balance
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Stress level
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Satisfaction
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Related careers
- Hotel Manager (Lodging)$69,250 median
- Event Planner$61,160 median
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Food Service Manager make?
The median pay for a Food Service Manager is $69,390 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). Actual pay varies with experience, location, and employer.
What degree do you need to become a Food Service Manager?
The usual entry point is an associate degree. Common majors are Hospitality Management, Business Administration, and Culinary Management.
Is Food Service Manager a growing field?
The BLS projects faster than average demand for this role, about 5% over the decade, with roughly 42,000 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does a Food Service Manager use most?
Common skills for this role are Operations Management, Staff Scheduling, Food Safety, Customer Service, and Cost Control.
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Take the major quizSalary and job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034). National figures; actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.