How much does a restaurant manager make?
a year · about $33 an hour
A typical restaurant manager in the United States makes $69,390 a year, about $33 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They check food, supplies, and safety, then guide kitchen and dining-room teams, set shifts, and keep an eye on budgets. When a rush hits, they solve complaints and may jump in to cook or serve.
Did you know? When a restaurant gets busy, its manager may have to jump in and cook, clear tables, or serve drinks!
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $45,960 and $107,640How do you become one?
In the U.S., finish high school, work in food service (often as a cook or server), and gain experience before promotion; hospitality college can help. Some places require a food-safety exam and certificate, and managers get on-the-job training.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like leading and selling and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can differ with experience, location, and employer: BLS data show different pay patterns in restaurants, hotels, and schools. Larger operations bring more complex responsibilities, and some places require food-safety certification; hours and shifts vary too.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Washington ($95,190), lowest in West Virginia ($54,800).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $45,960 | $69,390 | $107,640 | about 238,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $95,190 | about 1,000 |
| Massachusetts | $92,240 | about 4,000 |
| Hawaii | $87,800 | about 1,000 |
| New York | $84,200 | about 8,000 |
| Rhode Island | $82,850 | about 760 |
Official definition: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that serves food and beverages. Excludes “Chefs and Head Cooks” (35-1011).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/management/food-service-managers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/11-9051.00
- www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY