Research Summary. In 2026, the restaurant industry continues to evolve, influenced by shifting consumer preferences, the rise of technology, and changing labor dynamics. After comprehensive research by the Zippia data science team, we identified these details of restaurant manager salary by state for the United States:
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New Hampshire has the highest restaurant manager salary of $62,293
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South Dakota has the lowest restaurant manager salary of $43,702
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The national average salary for restaurant managers is $52,202
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The national hourly pay for restaurant managers is $25.1
You can read more on the specific methodology.
Background
Salary remains the most critical factor for job seekers across various demographics, especially in the hospitality sector. Understanding how much restaurant managers earn in their respective locations is vital for career planning.
Numerous factors contribute to individual salary expectations, including experience, location, and the type of establishment. While city averages may differ slightly from state figures, these statistics provide a valuable reference point for prospective restaurant managers.
New Hampshire stands out as the state with the highest average salary for restaurant managers.
Here’s a snapshot of the top ten states for restaurant manager salaries in 2026:
Let’s explore the full ranking of all the states and how each stands in 2026.
Highest-Paid Restaurant Managers By State
| Rank | State | Average Restaurant Manager Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | $62,293 | $45,000 | $86,000 |
| 2 | Alaska | $60,870 | $50,000 | $72,000 |
| 3 | California | $60,726 | $44,000 | $82,000 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $59,749 | $43,000 | $82,000 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $59,637 | $43,000 | $82,000 |
| 6 | New York | $58,446 | $42,000 | $80,000 |
| 7 | Vermont | $58,043 | $42,000 | $79,000 |
| 8 | Rhode Island | $57,567 | $41,000 | $79,000 |
| 9 | New Jersey | $57,412 | $41,000 | $79,000 |
| 10 | Hawaii | $56,991 | $45,000 | $70,000 |
| 11 | Washington | $56,561 | $42,000 | $74,000 |
| 12 | Maine | $55,943 | $40,000 | $77,000 |
| 13 | Nevada | $54,353 | $40,000 | $73,000 |
| 14 | Oklahoma | $54,160 | $40,000 | $72,000 |
| 15 | Arizona | $53,900 | $40,000 | $72,000 |
| 16 | Mississippi | $53,579 | $39,000 | $72,000 |
| 17 | Delaware | $53,026 | $38,000 | $72,000 |
| 18 | Kansas | $52,345 | $39,000 | $69,000 |
| 19 | New Mexico | $52,271 | $38,000 | $70,000 |
| 20 | Utah | $51,302 | $38,000 | $68,000 |
| 21 | Texas | $51,094 | $37,000 | $69,000 |
| 22 | Oregon | $50,765 | $38,000 | $67,000 |
| 23 | Florida | $50,588 | $37,000 | $68,000 |
| 24 | Pennsylvania | $50,564 | $36,000 | $69,000 |
| 25 | Georgia | $50,376 | $37,000 | $67,000 |
| 26 | Virginia | $50,314 | $37,000 | $68,000 |
| 27 | Maryland | $50,286 | $36,000 | $68,000 |
| 28 | Colorado | $50,143 | $38,000 | $66,000 |
| 29 | Illinois | $49,427 | $37,000 | $65,000 |
| 30 | Wyoming | $49,213 | $37,000 | $64,000 |
| 31 | Missouri | $49,013 | $37,000 | $64,000 |
| 32 | West Virginia | $48,247 | $35,000 | $64,000 |
| 33 | North Carolina | $48,119 | $35,000 | $64,000 |
| 34 | Wisconsin | $47,618 | $35,000 | $63,000 |
| 35 | Idaho | $47,331 | $35,000 | $62,000 |
| 36 | Michigan | $47,126 | $35,000 | $63,000 |
| 37 | North Dakota | $47,045 | $35,000 | $61,000 |
| 38 | Arkansas | $46,718 | $35,000 | $62,000 |
| 39 | Louisiana | $46,472 | $34,000 | $62,000 |
| 40 | Indiana | $46,368 | $34,000 | $61,000 |
| 41 | Alabama | $46,103 | $34,000 | $61,000 |
| 42 | Tennessee | $45,998 | $34,000 | $61,000 |
| 43 | Minnesota | $45,969 | $34,000 | $60,000 |
| 44 | Iowa | $45,914 | $34,000 | $60,000 |
| 45 | Kentucky | $45,839 | $34,000 | $60,000 |
| 46 | South Carolina | $45,365 | $33,000 | $60,000 |
| 47 | Montana | $45,279 | $34,000 | $59,000 |
| 48 | Nebraska | $45,183 | $34,000 | $59,000 |
| 49 | Ohio | $45,068 | $33,000 | $60,000 |
| 50 | South Dakota | $43,702 | $33,000 | $57,000 |
Methodology: Restaurant Manager Salary By State
To gain insight into restaurant manager compensation by state, Zippia has compiled data from various sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and job postings. Our data science team calculates a weighted average of these inputs to derive the average salary for restaurant managers across states.
The average annual salary data allows us to rank each state based on the average salary for restaurant managers.
Restaurant Manager Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for restaurant managers?
The highest-paid state for restaurant managers is New Hampshire with an average salary of $62,293 per year.
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What city pays restaurant managers the most?
San Francisco, CA pays restaurant managers the most with an average salary of $61,771 per year.
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What is the worst state for restaurant managers?
The worst state for restaurant managers is South Dakota with an average salary of $43,702 per year.
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.
