How to become a food service manager

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that serves food and beverages.

Steps to get there

Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

What food service managers do

• Count money and make bank deposits.
• Establish standards for personnel performance and customer service.
• Schedule staff hours and assign duties.
• Monitor budgets and payroll records, and review financial transactions to ensure that expenditures are authorized and budgeted.
• Estimate food, liquor, wine, and other beverage consumption to anticipate amounts to be purchased or requisitioned.
• Test cooked food by tasting and smelling it to ensure palatability and flavor conformity.

Skills that matter most

• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Monitoring
• Reading Comprehension
• Critical Thinking
• Active Learning
• Learning Strategies
• Writing

Is food service manager a good career?

On the numbers, this job pays above the typical job. Median pay is 36% above the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.

Where it pays most

• Washington $95,190
• Massachusetts $92,240
• Hawaii $87,800
• New York $84,200
• Rhode Island $82,850

Food Service Managers salary by state and city

Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.