How long does it take to become a food service manager?

Typically no schooling after high school, then a few weeks of training on the job, then less than 5 years of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do food service managers make?

The US median is $69,390 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree to become a food service manager?

No. Most people are hired and trained on the job; a program is optional.

Where can you train to become a food service manager?

545 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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How to become a food service manager

Management · SOC 11-9051

$69,390US median pay, 2025

+5.8%Projected growth, 2025–35

38,800Openings per year

On the jobUsual way in

How you get in

Most people are hired and trained on the job, so school is optional. A program can still help you stand out.

High school diploma or equivalent (a program is optional for this job)
Less than 5 years of experience in a related job
Short-term on-the-job training
Work as a food service manager

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Hospitality Administration/Management, General	CIP 52.0901	373
Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/Manager	CIP 12.0504	115
Hotel/Motel Administration/Management	CIP 52.0904	97
Restaurant/Food Services Management	CIP 52.0905	45
Hotel, Motel, and Restaurant Management	CIP 52.0909	44
Foodservice Systems Administration/Management	CIP 19.0505	32
Hospitality Administration/Management, Other	CIP 52.0999	29
Culinary Science/Culinology	CIP 12.0509	10
Wine Steward/Sommelier	CIP 12.0510	2
Brewery/Brewpub Operations/Management	CIP 52.0910	2

See the 545 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does it take to become a food service manager?: Typically no schooling after high school, then a few weeks of training on the job, then less than 5 years of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do food service managers make?: The US median is $69,390 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree to become a food service manager?: No. Most people are hired and trained on the job; a program is optional.
Where can you train to become a food service manager?: 545 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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