Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for assistant restaurant managers in the United States
Assistant restaurant manager job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected assistant restaurant manager job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 32,300 new jobs for assistant restaurant managers are projected over the next decade.
Assistant restaurant manager salaries have increased 11% for assistant restaurant managers in the last 5 years.
There are over 89,409 assistant restaurant managers currently employed in the United States.
There are 228,337 active assistant restaurant manager job openings in the US.
The average assistant restaurant manager salary is $45,620.
Are assistant restaurant manager jobs in demand?
Assistant restaurant manager job and salary trends over time
Assistant restaurant manager jobs over time
Assistant restaurant manager job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 89,409 | 0.03% |
| 2020 | 75,901 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 83,956 | 0.03% |
| 2018 | 79,290 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 76,015 | 0.02% |
Average assistant restaurant manager salary over time
Assistant restaurant manager salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $45,620 | $21.93 | +2.3% |
| 2024 | $44,596 | $21.44 | +2.0% |
| 2023 | $43,726 | $21.02 | +4.2% |
| 2022 | $41,944 | $20.17 | +2.4% |
| 2021 | $40,969 | $19.70 | +4.4% |
Assistant restaurant manager jobs by state
Most common states for assistant restaurant managers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 269 | 46% |
| 2 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 2,549 | 42% |
| 3 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 1,942 | 40% |
| 4 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 3,310 | 39% |
| 5 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 706 | 39% |
| 6 | Delaware | 961,939 | 377 | 39% |
| 7 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 2,514 | 38% |
| 8 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 1,885 | 38% |
| 9 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 384 | 37% |
| 10 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 1,582 | 36% |
| 11 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 1,055 | 36% |
| 12 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,966 | 35% |
| 13 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 1,039 | 35% |
| 14 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 245 | 35% |
| 15 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 3,543 | 34% |
| 16 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 3,525 | 34% |
| 17 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 2,297 | 34% |
| 18 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 1,063 | 34% |
| 19 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 3,825 | 33% |
| 20 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,905 | 33% |
Assistant Restaurant Manager job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of assistant restaurant manager experts
University of Memphis
University of New Hampshire
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
Temple University
University of South Florida
Texas Tech University
University of New Hampshire
Cypress College, School of Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management
Dr. Robert Meuret
James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits Fellow, Distilling, Wine, and Brewing Studies FacultyWhat Assistant Restaurant Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Robert Meuret: Our hotel partners and advisory board members really drive what we teach in the classroom. They advise us on the skills and competencies needed in today’s hotels. Hotels are looking for graduates with strong communication skills. Technical skills are also valued, such as proficiency in Excel and Word. Students also need to learn Revenue Management and how data is now driving decision making on hotel rates, events and guest experience, using tools such as STR reports (Smith Travel Research). Thes skills will still be important in the next 3-5 years. AI has the potential to change the hospitality industry by improving efficiency. It could also personalize customer experiences, identify trends, and reduce operational costs. Managing AI related technology may be the next frontier of hospitality management.
What Assistant Restaurant Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Oliver Jones: As graduates embark on their careers in hospitality management, my general advice would be to prioritize gaining hands-on experience through internships, part-time jobs, or entry-level positions. Building a strong foundation of practical skills and industry knowledge early on can significantly enhance career prospects. Additionally, networking and building relationships within the industry can open doors to opportunities and provide valuable mentorship. Finally, remain adaptable and open to learning, as the hospitality landscape continues to evolve.
What will help Assistant Restaurant Managers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Oliver Jones: Maximizing salary potential in the hospitality field often requires a combination of factors. Firstly, gaining relevant experience and continually updating skills can enhance marketability and justify higher compensation. Pursuing advanced certifications or specialized training in areas such as revenue management, event planning, or hospitality technology can also command higher salaries. Additionally, networking and building a strong professional reputation can lead to opportunities for advancement and higher-paying positions. Lastly, considering geographical locations and industries within hospitality that offer higher salaries, such as luxury hospitality or corporate hospitality, can also impact earning potential.
What general advice would you give to an Assistant Restaurant Manager?
Scott Taylor Jr.: This is an interesting question for our field and really is job dependent. I think for a graduate starting their career in hospitality and tourism it will be more about how to budget and plan effectively so that they can enjoy the money they are making no matter what that starting pay is. Going back to my first answer though, being open to new opportunities, learning new things, and a willingness to work more or harder than everyone else goes a long way in an industry that is 24/7 – 365 such as the hospitality and tourism industry.
What will help Assistant Restaurant Managers increase their earning potential?
Scott Taylor Jr.: Don’t be afraid to take on new roles or learn new skills, this might mean working longer or more hours but, in our industry, the more you know, and the larger skill set you have, especially early in your career the greater number of doors open for you later. Also, given the global nature of our industry if you are open to moving you could find yourself having some great opportunities.
What general advice would you give to an Assistant Restaurant Manager?
Rui Qi Ph.D.: Focus on building your competitive advantages, which can be interdisciplinary. For example, some hospitality students minor in real estate finance to become asset managers for large hotel chains. Others explore the healthcare industry where there is demand for managerial-level employees who oversee the hospitality aspects of healthcare facilities, aiming to improve the experience of patients and their families.
What will help Assistant Restaurant Managers increase their earning potential?
Rui Qi Ph.D.: Stay curious and make learning a daily habit, especially with AI shaping the industry. Soft skills like communication and adaptability are also key for hospitality students.
What general advice would you give to an Assistant Restaurant Manager?
Dr. Markus Schuckert: Most important: gain work experience. Relevant work experience and a track record will help you to increase your salary potential. Learn as much as possible about your job, including the roles and responsibilities of your colleagues and the management. An upgrade with relevant micro credentials and great networking are a plus.
What will help Assistant Restaurant Managers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Markus Schuckert: Get hands-on experience as soon as possible and learn to understand your customers as well as related processes in the back office. Try to understand the business from the cost side and what drives the revenues in your particular area. Depending on the company and your career objectives, manager-in-training programs have advantages over an in-line position. Sign up for international work experience programs if your company offers this opportunity. Travel and see the world to learn about your customers, different markets, and competition.
Bobbie Barnes
Associate Professor in ResidenceUniversity of Nevada - Las Vegas
Hospitality Administration/Management
What Assistant Restaurant Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Bobbie Barnes: Artificial intelligence continues to automate repetitive hospitality tasks providing time for hospitality managers to focus on creating incredible experiences and authentic guest interactions. As such, leadership competencies in strategic and ethical decision-making, problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork will be critical.
What will help Assistant Restaurant Managers increase their earning potential?
Bobbie Barnes: 1. Sometimes recent graduates say, “It’s just my first job after college.” No, it’s never just a job. Whatever position the recent graduate lands after college, it is important to remember that it’s just an incredibly long interview until the next opportunity. Having this attitude will set graduates up to be promotable within their current company or ready to make a leap to a new opportunity. 2. Hard work is the key to success. Taking initiative and saying “yes” to opportunities to contribute whether it is a project at work or a service initiative within the community provides an avenue to gain new skills and perspectives. Saying “yes” when others say “no” can be a defining moment for a recent graduate.
What general advice would you give to an Assistant Restaurant Manager?
Andrew Lovell: I may be a bit “old school” but I strongly believe that a savvy and skilled manager of employee teams will never fall off this list, and likely will be even more valuable in coming years as the mix of multiple generations in the workforce continues. Communicating well with people as you lead is just essential! Second, without question managers that can utilize AI for efficient and positive experience enhancement in their hospitality environments will be highly sought after. Third, the manager that can create budgets and financial plans that contribute to increased profitability will always be important.
What Assistant Restaurant Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Luana Nanu: To be open to experiences and to start as soon as possible. Our industry is so diverse, branching into so many fields. The more exposed you get the higher the chances of making yourself competitive. Moreover, I would also advice the graduates to make sure they get enough experience before they graduate, be it paid or not paid experience, any learning opportunity counts. Lastly, dream big, don’t give up, and do not take no for an answer.
What will help Assistant Restaurant Managers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Erinn Tucker-Oluwole PhD: After an offer is made, review all of the responsibilities of the position. Ask for a salary increase. If the number is fixed, then ask for other benefits that are offered by the company which may include e.g. transportation, mobile phone, extra vacation time, professional development funds, etc.
Charlie Adams Ph.D.
Associate Professor, RHIM Undergraduate AdvisorTexas Tech University
Restaurant, Hotel, & Institutional Management Program
What skills stand out on Assistant Restaurant Manager resumes?
Charlie Adams Ph.D.: Specific, measurable skills such as certification for specific activities like bartending or Serve Safe. Demonstrate capabilities through past work experience such as waiting tables, hosting, front desk, housekeeping, etc., that show effort and familiarity with the environment. Also, demonstration of marketing, sales, and/or finance are extremely beneficial. These assessable skills should be found on the resume called out in the job descriptions. Additionally, a person's work experience should reflect their career aspirations and goals. The best measure of future performance is past experience!
Daniel Innis Ph.D.
Professor of Marketing and Hospitality ManagementUniversity of New Hampshire
Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics
What hard/technical skills are most important for Assistant Restaurant Managers?
Daniel Innis Ph.D.: I think that an understanding of revenue management is key. I tell my students that in every transaction, every party should feel that they made a "profit." The business gets some money. The customer should get more value than the money that they gave up. If that is the case, then they come back. In addition, the ability to spot opportunities for additional revenue is key. We never charge for parking or internet at our properties as that annoys customers. We did, however, offer beer and wine room service (the front desk staff could handle that) at a great price, and we had a gift shop that was right next to the front desk, again staffed when necessary by the front desk. These two moves did not add expenses to our operation, but they did add revenue and profit. Spotting those easy opportunities to add value for guests is key, and it is great when it also adds to the bottom line.
Amanda Gargano
ProfessorCypress College, School of Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management
Hotel, Restaurant & Culinary Arts
What skills will help Assistant Restaurant Managers earn the most?
Amanda Gargano: A combination of soft skills, interpersonal skills, and technical skills is ideal. Oftentimes, hiring managers in hospitality are very willing to onboard a new employee with strong, soft skills, knowing that the technical skills can be taught through on-the-job training and mentoring. Continuing education, participating in networking opportunities, and industry-focused workshops and conferences are all good ways to continue to learn and add to your resume.