Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Guiding people or projects, setting direction, taking responsibility, and helping others succeed.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Understanding customer needs and providing helpful, professional service.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Food service managers typically need a high school diploma and several years of work experience in the food service industry. Some receive additional training at community colleges, technical or vocational schools, culinary schools, or 4-year colleges. PayThe median annual wage for food service managers was $69,390 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of food service managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 38,800 openings for food service managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for food service managers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of food service managers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about food service managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for food service managers was $69,390 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of food service managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 38,800 openings for food service managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for food service managers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of food service managers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about food service managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of food service managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 38,800 openings for food service managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for food service managers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of food service managers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about food service managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Food service managers are responsible for the daily operation of restaurants or other establishments that prepare and serve food and beverages.
Work Environment
Food service managers work in restaurants, hotels, school cafeterias, and other establishments where food is prepared and served. They often work evenings, weekends, and holidays. The work is often hectic, and dealing with dissatisfied customers may be stressful.
How to Become a Food Service Manager
Food service managers typically need a high school diploma and several years of work experience in the food service industry. Some receive additional training at community colleges, technical or vocational schools, culinary schools, or 4-year colleges.
Pay
The median annual wage for food service managers was $69,390 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of food service managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 38,800 openings for food service managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for food service managers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of food service managers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about food service managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Food service managers work in restaurants, hotels, school cafeterias, and other establishments where food is prepared and served. They often work evenings, weekends, and holidays. The work is often hectic, and dealing with dissatisfied customers may be stressful.
How to Become a Food Service Manager
Food service managers typically need a high school diploma and several years of work experience in the food service industry. Some receive additional training at community colleges, technical or vocational schools, culinary schools, or 4-year colleges.
Pay
The median annual wage for food service managers was $69,390 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of food service managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 38,800 openings for food service managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for food service managers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of food service managers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about food service managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for food service managers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of food service managers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about food service managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about food service managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.