Salary guide
Restaurant Manager Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What restaurant managers earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median restaurant manager salary in the U.S. is $69,390 per year, or $33.36 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $45,960, while the top 10% earned more than $107,640.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Restaurant Manager pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $45,960 | $22.10 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $56,870 | $27.34 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $69,390 | $33.36 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $86,800 | $41.73 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $107,640 | $51.75 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $56,870 | $69,390 | $86,800 |
| Per month | $4,739 | $5,783 | $7,233 |
| Every two weeks | $2,187 | $2,669 | $3,338 |
| Per week | $1,094 | $1,334 | $1,669 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects restaurant manager pay
- Tips and service charges in front-of-house roles
- Type of establishment (fine dining, resorts and casinos often pay more)
- Supervisory and management responsibility
- Certifications such as ServSafe Manager and culinary credentials
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a restaurant manager
- Get credentialed: ServSafe Food Protection Manager, Responsible alcohol service certification, Foodservice Management Professional (FMP).
- Build specialty experience: Lead shifts.
- Move up: roles such as restaurant or general manager and multi-unit manager or owner typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Restaurant Manager pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of restaurant managers to change by +5.8% from 2025–35, faster than average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 38,800 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 11-9051 (“Food service managers”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Restaurant Manager salary FAQ
How much does a restaurant manager make per hour?
The median hourly wage for restaurant managers was $33.36 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $22.10 and the top 10% earned about $51.75 or more.
How much does a restaurant manager make a month?
At the median annual wage of $69,390, that works out to about $5,783 per month before taxes, or about $2,669 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a restaurant manager?
New restaurant managers often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $45,960 and the 25th percentile was $56,870 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can restaurant managers earn more?
Common ways include earning ServSafe Food Protection Manager and Responsible alcohol service certification, gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as restaurant or general manager.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 11-9051 (Food service managers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Food service managers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.