California Median
$78,260
per year
Hourly Rate
$37.63
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+13% vs US median
US median $69,390
State Rank
#10 of 51
33,180 employed here
How much does a Food Service Manager make in California?
Food Service Managers in California take home a median of $78,260 annually — roughly $37.63 an hour — which runs 13% above the national median of $69,390.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $47,690 while the top 10% make $127,340 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $60,040 and $100,190 a year.
Food Service Manager salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,690 | $22.93 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $60,040 | $28.87 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $78,260 | $37.63 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $100,190 | $48.17 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,340 | $61.22 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 10th out of 51 states and territories for Food Service Manager pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Food Service Manager salary in other states
Washington $95,190Massachusetts $92,240Hawaii $87,800New York $84,200Rhode Island $82,850Alaska $82,030District of Columbia $81,680Colorado $79,870Minnesota $79,820New Jersey $78,020Connecticut $77,990Vermont $77,910New Hampshire $77,360Delaware $74,430North Carolina $74,080Maryland $72,850Florida $72,790North Dakota $72,210Montana $72,140Indiana $71,430Virginia $71,230Maine $70,510Kentucky $70,410Kansas $70,320Arizona $70,180Idaho $70,140Utah $69,480Iowa $66,700South Carolina $66,190Missouri $65,520Nevada $65,320Georgia $65,280New Mexico $65,210Pennsylvania $64,750Tennessee $64,410Illinois $63,930Oklahoma $63,840Alabama $63,010Ohio $62,980Wyoming $62,610Oregon $62,110Wisconsin $61,810Louisiana $61,400Michigan $60,790Texas $60,770South Dakota $60,640Nebraska $60,450Mississippi $59,540Arkansas $55,120West Virginia $54,800
Working as a Food Service Manager in California
Nationally, about 238,000 people work as Food Service Managers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($78,260) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Food Service Manager make in California?
The median Food Service Manager salary in California is $78,260 per year, or about $37.63 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,690 at the entry level to $127,340 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Food Service Managers about 13% more than the national median of $69,390. California ranks 10th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Food Service Managers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $78,260 a year. About 33,180 Food Service Managers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Food Service Manager salary report
Related salaries
$59,300
median pay · 74,000 employed
$93,330
median pay · 14,000 employed
$69,990
median pay · 311,000 employed
$69,770
median pay · 10,000 employed
$96,660
median pay · 14,000 employed
$69,250
median pay · 43,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.