Food Service Managers in California
Thinking about a career as a Food Service Managers in California? Here’s what the data says. Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that serves food and beverages. Excludes “Chefs and Head Cooks” (35-1011).
What do Food Service Managers Make in California?
The food service managers working in California, the median annual wage is $75,140 per year (or roughly $36.12/hour).Earnings range from $44,920 at the 10th percentile to $117,640 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $44,920 | $21.60 |
| 25th percentile | $55,360 | $26.61 |
| Median (50th) | $75,140 | $36.12 |
| 75th percentile | $93,570 | $44.99 |
| 90th percentile | $117,640 | $56.56 |
The job concentration index in California compared to the national average — is 1.36, suggesting that food service managers are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, food service managers earn a median of $165,782 per year ($79.70/hour), lower than the California median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 369,360 food service managers in the U.S.. In California alone, around 38,960 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 1,850 food service managers.
Top California Metros for Food Service Managers
These are the California metros with the most food service managers in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 14,210 | $73,610 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 5,480 | $82,570 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 5,080 | $74,120 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 4,110 | $70,220 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 1,720 | $79,150 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 1,560 | $74,630 |
| Fresno, CA | 760 | $63,160 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 760 | $64,490 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 670 | $60,970 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 500 | $63,450 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 450 | $76,670 |
| Salinas, CA | 380 | $78,790 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 360 | $72,060 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 330 | $79,320 |
| Modesto, CA | 300 | $73,730 |
| Vallejo, CA | 280 | $72,680 |
| Visalia, CA | 250 | $62,440 |
| Napa, CA | 230 | $84,150 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 210 | $76,140 |
| Chico, CA | 170 | $68,870 |
| Redding, CA | 120 | $62,970 |
| Merced, CA | 110 | $61,790 |
| Yuba City, CA | 110 | $71,720 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 100 | $78,010 |
| El Centro, CA | 80 | $76,320 |
Top States for Food Service Managers Employment
The table below shows the states where the most food service managers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 38,960 |
| Florida | 21,960 |
| Texas | 20,080 |
| Illinois | 12,320 |
| New York | 12,260 |
| Ohio | 11,420 |
| Michigan | 9,490 |
| North Carolina | 7,970 |
| Pennsylvania | 7,910 |
| Georgia | 7,240 |
| Wisconsin | 5,880 |
| Tennessee | 5,400 |
| Indiana | 5,270 |
| New Jersey | 5,100 |
| Alabama | 5,090 |
| Arizona | 5,010 |
| Virginia | 4,380 |
| South Carolina | 4,360 |
| Oregon | 4,310 |
| Nevada | 4,000 |
Highest-Paying States for Food Service Managers
These states pay the most for food service managers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $92,290 |
| Massachusetts | $85,940 |
| Hawaii | $82,380 |
| Alaska | $82,300 |
| Rhode Island | $82,300 |
| Colorado | $82,270 |
| New York | $80,170 |
| District of Columbia | $80,040 |
| New Jersey | $79,370 |
| Virgin Islands | $77,770 |
Skills
The most important food service managers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for food service managers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Count money and make bank deposits.
- Establish standards for personnel performance and customer service.
- Keep records required by government agencies regarding sanitation or food subsidies.
- Schedule staff hours and assign duties.
- Investigate and resolve complaints regarding food quality, service, or accommodations.
- Maintain food and equipment inventories, and keep inventory records.
- Perform some food preparation or service tasks, such as cooking, clearing tables, and serving food and drinks when necessary.
- Monitor budgets and payroll records, and review financial transactions to ensure that expenditures are authorized and budgeted.
- Schedule and receive food and beverage deliveries, checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
- Coordinate assignments of cooking personnel to ensure economical use of food and timely preparation.
- Organize and direct worker training programs, resolve personnel problems, hire new staff, and evaluate employee performance in dining and lodging facilities.
- Assess staffing needs and recruit staff, using methods such as newspaper advertisements or attendance at job fairs.
Work Activities
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Getting Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Coaching and Developing Others
- Training and Teaching Others
- Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Facebook, Google Docs In-demand technologies: Microsoft Office software
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Hospitality Management
- Culinary Arts
- Food, Nutrition & Related Services
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Related Careers
Careers similar to food service managers include:
- Food Scientists and Technologists
- Dietetic Technicians
- Chefs and Head Cooks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers
- Cooks, Fast Food
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Also Known As
Banquet Director, Banquet Manager, CDM (Certified Dietary Manager), CFPP (Certified Food Protection Professional), Cafe Operator, Cafeteria Director, Cafeteria Manager, Cafeteria Operator, Catering Coordinator, Catering Director, Catering Manager, Chef Manager, Concessionaire, Cook Manager, Deli Manager.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 11-9051.00