Food service managers

Good fit if you …enjoy working with people and solving problems.

Typical pay

$63,060/yr

Education

High school diploma (many entry roles) | Associate or Bachelor's (management) | Profess…

Outlook

⇧ Strong

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Why this matters in Food

Restaurants are businesses that need managers and owners.

What you’d actually do

Supervise kitchen and wait staff, schedule employee shifts, monitor food preparation and quality, handle customer complaints, manage food inventory and ordering, ensure health and safety compliance, track sales and costs, and train new employees.

What can I do right now?

Take relevant classes. 2) Join an activity/club. 3) Build 2–3 small projects or experiences. 4) Get feedback from a pro. 5) Add one credential or micro-course. 6) Apply for a summer experience.

How this career can grow

Many careers advance from entry-level roles → specialist → lead/supervisor → manager/director. Leadership, credentials, and strong results accelerate growth.

How much education?

High school diploma (many entry roles) | Associate or Bachelor's (management) | Professional certifications helpful

Path 1 – Most Common: High school diploma (many entry roles) | Associate or Bachelor's (management) | Professional certifications helpful Path 2 – Alternative: On-the-job training or apprenticeship programs may be available. Path 3 – Self-Directed: Build experience through volunteering, part-time work, and certification programs.

Certifications: Role-dependent certifications (draft examples): industry-specific credentials, professional licenses, and micro-credentials.

Compare costs of certificates/community college vs. bachelor's degrees. Consider paid apprenticeships, scholarships, and earning while learning options.

What to take in high school

BusinessEnglishComputer applicationsMathAccountingOffice technologyBusiness managementCommunications

Skills you’ll use

OrganizationCommunicationData entrySchedulingProblem solvingCommunicationteamworkreliabilitytime managementproblem solvinglearning mindset.

Where you might work

Corporate offices, government agencies, hotels, restaurants, property management firms, healthcare offices

Sources

Pay, education, and outlook figures come from the LaunchPoint Navigator career library (BLS/O*NET-sourced), mapped to SOC code 11-9051. Figures are typical ranges, not guarantees.

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Is this career right for you?

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