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The differences between beverage managers and executive chefs can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a beverage manager, becoming an executive chef takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an executive chef has an average salary of $59,416, which is higher than the $53,129 average annual salary of a beverage manager.
The top three skills for a beverage manager include wine, customer service and BARS. The most important skills for an executive chef are culinary, food preparation, and customer service.
| Beverage Manager | Executive Chef | |
| Yearly salary | $53,129 | $59,416 |
| Hourly rate | $25.54 | $28.57 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 15% |
| Number of jobs | 90,318 | 83,085 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Associate Degree, 56% |
| Average age | 39 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A beverage manager oversees the beverage programs of dining and drinking establishments, from planning to execution. Their job is to manage the day-to-day operations, supervise and delegate responsibilities among staff, organize schedules and activities, set objectives and guidelines, monitor inventories to ensure an adequate supply of beverages, and coordinate with suppliers to purchase orders, building positive business relationships in the process. Moreover, a beverage manager monitors operations and resolves issues promptly and professionally, all while implementing policies and regulations.
Executive chefs are considered the lead chefs in a restaurant. They manage the restaurant's kitchen, including all other chefs employed by the restaurant. Executive chefs are in charge of creating menu items and ensuring that the restaurant's menu is in line with the restaurant's identity. They handle the management of the pantry and ensure that it is well-stocked. They also ensure that all kitchen equipment and fixtures are working well. Executive chefs are responsible for training new chefs on the job to ensure consistent food quality.
Beverage managers and executive chefs have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Beverage Manager | Executive Chef | |
| Average salary | $53,129 | $59,416 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $72,000 | Between $40,000 And $87,000 |
| Highest paying City | Atlantic City, NJ | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | PalmerHouse Properties | Bridgewater Associates |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a beverage manager and an executive chef in terms of educational background:
| Beverage Manager | Executive Chef | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Associate Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Business | Culinary Arts |
| Most common college | Cornell University | Drexel University |
Here are the differences between beverage managers' and executive chefs' demographics:
| Beverage Manager | Executive Chef | |
| Average age | 39 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 69.0% Female, 31.0% | Male, 87.5% Female, 12.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 8.4% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 10.8% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 9% |