Highest-Paying Shift Manager Jobs [2026]
Research Summary. In 2026, the job market for shift managers continues to evolve. Using a combination of public government data and insights from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has updated average salary estimates for shift manager roles across the United States. This analysis highlights the highest-paid types of shift managers based on their average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of shift managers:
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Part-Time Key Manager remains the highest-paid type of shift manager, drawing an average salary of $72,750, with an hourly rate of $34.98.
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The second highest-paying role is manager, earning an average salary of $58,651.
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Overall, the average shift manager salary is $32,110 annually, translating to an average hourly wage of $15.44.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be challenging. While salary is a crucial factor, it’s essential to consider the overall job satisfaction and growth potential. If you aspire to work as a shift manager, understanding the highest-paid roles can guide your career progression.
Here are the top salaries for various types of shift managers:
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Part-Time Key Manager
Average Salary: $72,750
A part-time key manager is a senior manager who works part-time, focusing on business development to drive revenue, production, and profits. These professionals play a pivotal role in recruiting talent and achieving organizational targets, often stepping in for full-time key managers when needed.
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Manager
Average Salary: $58,651
Managers oversee specific departments or teams, ensuring operations run smoothly and efficiently. They set departmental goals, assess performance, and play a key role in the hiring process. Additionally, managers shape the work environment, fostering motivation and productivity among employees.
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Restaurant General Manager
Average Salary: $56,521
A restaurant general manager oversees daily restaurant operations, ensuring compliance with company standards. Responsibilities include product delivery, team management, and customer relations, requiring strong interpersonal and commercial skills.
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Restaurant Manager
Average Salary: $52,202
A restaurant manager handles overall restaurant operations, including revenue monitoring, inventory management, and customer service. They develop promotional strategies and ensure the highest sanitary standards are met.
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Kitchen Manager
Average Salary: $50,448
A kitchen manager supervises kitchen operations, ensuring food quality and safety. Responsibilities include food preparation oversight, staff management, and maintaining sanitation standards.
Below is a full table of the average pay for various shift manager roles, followed by a detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Shift Managers
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Part-Time Key Manager | |
| 2 | Manager | |
| 3 | Restaurant General Manager | |
| 4 | Restaurant Manager | |
| 5 | Kitchen Manager | |
| 6 | Assistant Restaurant Manager | |
| 7 | Floor Manager | |
| 8 | Night Manager | |
| 9 | Assistant Manager | |
| 10 | Swing Manager | |
| 11 | Assistant Manager/Shift Manager | |
| 12 | Food Manager | |
| 13 | Hourly Manager | |
| 14 | Assistant Manager/Manager Training | |
| 15 | Shift Lead Manager | |
| 16 | Crew Manager | |
| 17 | Shift Leader | |
| 18 | Night Shift Manager | |
| 19 | Cashier/Shift Manager | |
| 20 | Server And Shift Manager |
Methodology
Zippia utilizes publicly available information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to generate its salary estimates.
Our data science team checks job postings and corporate resources to supplement salary information for shift managers.
Once the data is collected, we calculate a weighted average for each job title. For further details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Shift Manager Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid shift manager job?
The highest-paid shift manager job is a part-time key manager. Part-Time Key Managers earn an average salary of $72,750, which is $34.98 per hour.
A part-time key manager is a senior manager who works part-time, focusing on business development to drive revenue, production, and profits. They are responsible for recruiting talent and achieving organizational targets, often covering for full-time key managers as needed.
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What is a good salary for a shift manager?
A good salary for a shift manager is $32,110 or more. This is the average shift manager salary, so those earning at least this amount are above average.
However, salaries can vary significantly based on location, as companies adjust pay scales according to the cost of living. Research the average salary in your area for your expertise and experience level for a more accurate picture of your compensation.
If you are new to the role, remember that the entry-level salary can be considerably lower than the average.
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Do Shift Manager jobs pay well?
Shift manager jobs vary in pay. While some positions offer competitive salaries, the average shift manager salary of $32,110 falls short compared to the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
Many shift manager positions have high earning potential, with the top 10% of shift managers earning significantly more. Research the pay scale for shift managers in your area and negotiate your salary based on your findings.
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Where do shift managers get paid the most?
Shift managers receive the highest pay in Michigan. In Michigan, shift managers earn an average salary of $33,313, with an hourly wage of $16.02.
Other states with high-paying shift manager roles include West Virginia, California, and Delaware, with average annual salaries of $31,957, $39,876, and $35,372 respectively.
The cities with the highest shift manager salaries are:
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Los Angeles, CA – $39,916
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Arlington, MA – $37,137
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Washington, DC – $35,578
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Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
