Management
Food Service Managers
Also called: Banquet Manager, Catering Manager, CDM (Certified Dietary Manager), Dining Service Director
US median pay
$69,390
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+5.8%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
38,800
344,300 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that serves food and beverages.
What they do day to day
- 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.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Management of Personnel Resources3.9/5
- Coordination3.9/5
- Service Orientation3.8/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.6/5
- Time Management3.5/5
- Negotiation3.1/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Instructing3.1/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.5/5
- Administration and Management4.1/5
- Food Production4.0/5
- English Language3.5/5
- Personnel and Human Resources3.5/5
- Sales and Marketing3.4/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent, plus less than 5 years of related work experience.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma30%
- Post-secondary certificate21%
- Associate's degree19%
Who this job suits
Mostly Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.