Food Service Managers
O*NET 11-9051.00 · SOC 11-9051
Food Service Manager is a solid career choice. Median pay is $69k a year with +5.8% projected growth through 2035 (about as fast as average) and about 38,800 openings a year. AI exposure: Elevated.
Bureau of Labor Statistics projections 2025–2035 · Data updated 2026-07-27
What You'd Actually Do
- →Inspect kitchen and dining areas daily for cleanliness and safety
- →Schedule kitchen and wait staff to cover all meal service periods
- →Order food and beverage supplies to maintain adequate inventory levels
- →Resolve customer complaints about food quality or service promptly
- →Monitor food preparation to ensure portion sizes and recipes are followed
Education & How to Get In
Food Service Manager roles typically require a high school diploma or equivalent, with most training happening on the job. This makes it one of the more accessible career paths, you can often start working while earning certifications or completing short-term training programs.
Get Started Learning
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Work Environment
Leadership, offices, client meetings, or hybrid
Collaborative, frequent interaction with teams, clients, or patients
A Day in the Life
While every role varies by employer and specialization, a typical day as a Food Service Manager involves a mix of core responsibilities:
Personality Fit (RIASEC)
Who Thrives as Food Service Manager?
Based on the interests and work style this role actually demands, these personality types tend to fit it best. Salary and growth tell you if a career is worth entering; personality fit tells you whether you'll still want it in five years.
Not sure which you are? Take the 7-minute quiz →
See Open Food Service Manager Roles
Browse live openings to get a feel for requirements and pay in your area.
Similar Careers
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Job Outlook
Employment of Food Service Managers is projected to grow 5.8% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as average for all occupations.
Will AI Replace This Job?
- ·40% routine cognitive tasks, high automation target
- ·34% social/interpersonal tasks, hard for AI to replace
Scored from the mix of routine, creative, physical and social tasks the role involves, adjusted for sector and projected growth. An estimate, not a forecast.
Common Questions
How much does a Food Service Manager make?
The median Food Service Manager earns $69k a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 wage data. Half earn more than that and half earn less, and pay varies considerably by state, industry and experience.
Will AI replace Food Service Manager jobs?
Our model puts Food Service Manager at 47 out of 100 for automation exposure, which is elevated disruption risk. The main drivers: 40% routine cognitive tasks, high automation target; 34% social/interpersonal tasks, hard for AI to replace.
Is Food Service Manager a growing field?
Employment is projected to grow 5.8% between 2025 and 2035, which is about as fast as average. That works out to roughly 38,800 openings a year, counting both new positions and people leaving the occupation.
What degree do you need to be a Food Service Manager?
Most Food Service Manager roles need a high school diploma or equivalent, with training happening on the job. A degree is not the usual route in.
How long does it take to become a Food Service Manager?
Typically under a year, usually a high school diploma plus short training. O*NET classes this role as Job Zone 2 of 5, which describes how much preparation people in it usually have.
Is a Food Service Manager career right for you?
Your personality, values, and strengths matter as much as the job market. Take the quiz to see your personalized Future-Fit Score for this career and hundreds more.
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