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Management

Food Service Managers

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

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Food Service Managers
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Median pay

$65,310
Median annual pay for Food Service Managers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

6.4%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

42,000
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

352,800
Estimated U.S. employment for Food Service Managers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+22,600
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Less than 5 years of related work experience; Short-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Monitoring
  3. 3Speaking
  4. 4Reading Comprehension
  5. 5Critical Thinking
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Customer and Personal Service
  2. 2Administration and Management
  3. 3Food Production
  4. 4English Language
  5. 5Personnel and Human Resources
  6. 6Sales and Marketing

Abilities

  1. 1Deductive Reasoning
  2. 2Oral Comprehension
  3. 3Oral Expression
  4. 4Problem Sensitivity
  5. 5Written Comprehension
  6. 6Speech Clarity

Career interests

  1. 1Enterprising
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Realistic
  4. 4Social
  5. 5Investigative
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Dependability
  2. 2Leadership Orientation
  3. 3Cooperation
  4. 4Attention to Detail
  5. 5Social Orientation
  6. 6Stress Tolerance

Work activities

  1. 1Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  2. 2Getting Information
  3. 3Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  4. 4Coaching and Developing Others
  5. 5Training and Teaching Others
  6. 6Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others

Work context

  1. 1Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
  2. 2Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  3. 3Contact With Others
  4. 4Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  5. 5Telephone Conversations
  6. 6Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers

Representative tasks

  • 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.

Software and tools

Microsoft Office software · in demandGoogle Docs · hot technologyIntuit QuickBooks · hot technologyFacebook · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyMicrosoft Project · hot technologyIBM DominoOracle TaleoReServe Interactive

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.