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Darden Restaurants salary estimate

$14.93hourly

$31,062 yearly

Entry-level salary
$17,000 yearly salary
Updated April 25, 2024

How much does Darden Restaurants pay?

The average Darden Restaurants salary in the United States is $31,062 per year. Darden Restaurants salaries range between $17,000 a year in the bottom 10th percentile to $56,000 in the top 90th percentile. Darden Restaurants pays $14.93 an hour on average. Geographic location also impacts Darden Restaurants salaries. Darden Restaurants employees in Los Angeles, CA get paid the most.

Highest paying jobs at Darden Restaurants

The highest paying jobs at Darden Restaurants are manager, corporate trainer, certified trainer, and culinary assistant. Manager jobs at Darden Restaurants earn an average yearly salary of $98,780, Darden Restaurants corporate trainer jobs average $70,001, and Darden Restaurants certified trainer jobs average $66,990.

The lowest paying Darden Restaurants roles include busser and dish machine operator. Darden Restaurants busser average salary is $24,368 per year. So while the average Darden Restaurants salary is $31,062 there is a big variation in pay depending on the role.

Highest paying jobs at Darden Restaurants

RankJob titleAverage Darden Restaurants salaryHourly rate
1Manager$98,780$47.49
2Corporate Trainer$70,001$33.65
3Certified Trainer$66,990$32.21
4Culinary Assistant$33,077$15.90
5Service Assistant$33,043$15.89
6Line Cook$32,931$15.83
7Prep Cook$31,905$15.34
8Server$30,249$14.54
9Dish Washer$28,364$13.64
10Cashier$28,071$13.50
11Hostess$27,417$13.18
12Bartender$26,704$12.84
13Waitress$24,704$11.88
14Dish Machine Operator$24,374$11.72
15Busser$24,368$11.72

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Average Darden Restaurants salary by state

Darden Restaurants pays the highest salaries in Florida due to higher costs of living and competition in the state.

RankStateAverage Darden Restaurants salaryHourly rate
1Florida$27,319$13.13
2Texas$26,779$12.87
3Georgia$26,337$12.66

How much does Darden Restaurants pay by location?

The average Darden Restaurants salary varies by location. Darden Restaurants salaries are the highest in Los Angeles, CA, at $35,172 per year. Darden Restaurants pays the second highest average salary in Wareham, MA, at $34,864 per year. It's important to factor in the cost of living when negotiating a salary or choosing a place to work.

Highest paying Darden Restaurants locations

RankLocationAverage Darden Restaurants salaryHourly rate
1Los Angeles, CA$35,172$16.91
2Wareham, MA$34,864$16.76
3Toms River, NJ$32,003$15.39
4Muskegon, MI$28,032$13.48
5Bethel Park, PA$27,402$13.17
6Orlando, FL$27,240$13.10

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Darden Restaurants salaries by department

Salaries at Darden Restaurants vary depending on the department you work in. Darden Restaurants salaries in the education department are the highest with an average salary of $70,240. Employees in the retail department at Darden Restaurants receive relatively high salaries as well, with an average salary of $51,634 per year. Departments that don't pay as well at Darden Restaurants include the hospitality/service and the plant/manufacturing organizational functions, with employees earning average salaries of $29,550 and $33,647, respectively.

Average Darden Restaurants salary by department

RankDepartmentAverage Darden Restaurants salaryHourly rate
1Education$70,240$33.77
2Retail$51,634$24.82
3Customer Service$49,977$24.03
4Plant/Manufacturing$33,648$16.18
5Hospitality/Service$29,550$14.21

How much does Darden Restaurants pay by department?

Best paying Darden Restaurants hospitality/service salaries

RankPositionAverage Darden Restaurants salaryHourly rate
1Cook$33,041$15.89
2Server$30,249$14.54
3Dish Washer$28,364$13.64
4Hostess$27,417$13.18
5Bartender$26,704$12.84
6Food Runner$24,969$12.00
7Waitress$24,704$11.88
8Dish Machine Operator$24,374$11.72
9Busser$24,368$11.72

Best paying Darden Restaurants plant/manufacturing salaries

RankPositionAverage Darden Restaurants salaryHourly rate
1Utility Operator$38,880$18.69
2Culinary Assistant$33,077$15.90
3Line Cook$32,931$15.83
4Prep Cook/Dishwasher$30,726$14.77
5Food Prep/Dishwasher$28,539$13.72
6Service Team Member$26,421$12.70

Best paying Darden Restaurants education salaries

RankPositionAverage Darden Restaurants salaryHourly rate
1Training Manager$103,928$49.97
2Training Specialist$72,829$35.01
3Corporate Trainer$70,001$33.65
4Certified Trainer$66,990$32.21
5Substitute Teacher$36,184$17.40

Darden Restaurants competitors’ average salaries

Average salaries at Darden Restaurants competitors, like Yum! Brands, Dunkin Brands, and The Capital Grille, vary. Yum! Brands employees earn the highest salaries, with an average yearly salary of $48,128. The average salary at Dunkin Brands is $47,084 per year, and the average salary at The Capital Grille is $37,600 per year.

Highest paying Darden Restaurants competitors

RankCompany nameZippia scoreAverage salary
1Yum! Brands4.9$48,128
2Dunkin Brands4.3$47,084
3The Capital Grille4.4$37,600
4Joe's Crab Shack3.4$33,197
5Panera Bread4.3$32,973
6Chipotle Mexican Grill4.4$32,507
7Texas Roadhouse4.4$31,839
8Seasons 524.4$31,608
9Bahama Breeze4.0$31,460
10Outback Steakhouse4.3$30,508
11Chili's Grill & Bar4.0$30,072
12Noodles & Company3.8$27,836
13Buffalo Wild Wings4.3$27,704
14Red Robin4.0$27,506
15Ruby Tuesday3.7$27,459
16TGI Fridays3.9$27,440
17Applebee's Canada4.2$27,331
18Denny's4.3$27,081
19Wendy's4.3$26,046
20Red Lobster4.1$24,916

Recently added Darden Restaurants salaries

JobLocationDate addedSalary
BusserCheektowaga, NY12/12/2024$20,870
Restaurant ManagerRaleigh, NC12/11/2024$62,610
BartenderYakima, WA12/11/2024$33,976
Restaurant ManagerBowling Green, KY12/11/2024$62,610
Restaurant ManagerSan Antonio, TX12/11/2024$62,610

What employees say about salary at Darden Restaurants

Employee reviews
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2.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2024
Pros of working at Darden Restaurants

Good benefits

Cons of working at Darden Restaurants

Horrible non experienced managers with a huge egos. No room to move up nor become CT.

Darden Restaurants Benefits

None

What do you like best about Darden Restaurants's CEO and the leadership team?

None just horrible experience

How would you improve Darden Restaurants's culture?

Improve management expectations and policies

What brings you the most joy at Darden Restaurants?

Best part was leavening that toxic work environment, when your mentally unstable from an environment it’s time to gon

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3.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2024
Pros of working at Darden Restaurants

Extensive opportunity for professional growth and development.

Cons of working at Darden Restaurants

There is a lack of communication between management and difficulty adhering to company policies and procedures.

Darden Restaurants Benefits

The salary is generous compared to other management positions within the industry.

What brings you the most joy at Darden Restaurants?

Helping others and creating a positive and memorable experience for both the guest and staff.

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4.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2024
Pros of working at Darden Restaurants

Great Benefits, Great work-life balance, opportunity to make money

Cons of working at Darden Restaurants

Repetitive

Darden Restaurants Benefits

health care

What do you like best about Darden Restaurants's CEO and the leadership team?

Very kind and understanding. They work with you rather than against you.

How would you improve Darden Restaurants's culture?

I would improve the communication between managers and staff.

How did you prepare for the Darden Restaurants interview?

I prepared by having at least one to two questions about the work environment and what they are looking for in an employee.

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2.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2023
Pros of working at Darden Restaurants

The staff that was not in management are amazing and fun to work with

Cons of working at Darden Restaurants

management is always so stress, they will be rude to customers and tell employees to "find another manager" The do not jump in to help and take initiative until you start closing so they can leave. if your good at your job you will be expected to do more with no pay raise

Darden Restaurants Benefits

you can go home with 25-75 bucks in cash a night even not being a server.

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5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2023
Pros of working at Darden Restaurants

Great Managers

Cons of working at Darden Restaurants

Weight lifting !

Darden Restaurants Benefits

Location, schedule flexibility, and variety of duties .

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5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on May 2023
Pros of working at Darden Restaurants

I like meeting new people everyday, and putting smiles on customers faces.

Cons of working at Darden Restaurants

I don’t like that I do not get a break.

Darden Restaurants Benefits

Free food, and I also get to talk to the customers and suggest meals to them.

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4.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2023
Pros of working at Darden Restaurants

Team work environment

Cons of working at Darden Restaurants

No public transportation during evening shift

Darden Restaurants Benefits

Bonus pay opportunity

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5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2022
Pros of working at Darden Restaurants

It’s a very nice work environment

Cons of working at Darden Restaurants

The money is not the best

Darden Restaurants Benefits

A lot of good food

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4.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2022
Pros of working at Darden Restaurants

My coworkers really made it a great place to work, free food, good atmosphere.

Cons of working at Darden Restaurants

Some managers can be incompetent, some days can be very stressful, wildly flexible schedule.

Darden Restaurants Benefits

Free food.

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5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2021
Pros of working at Darden Restaurants

The employees

Cons of working at Darden Restaurants

Some of the employees did not like doing their job and put it off on others

Darden Restaurants Benefits

Free food

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4.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2021
Pros of working at Darden Restaurants

It's a good place to work when you need quick money but I need more for myself.

Cons of working at Darden Restaurants

It's not a fair work schedule.

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5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2021
Pros of working at Darden Restaurants

The people and experience

Cons of working at Darden Restaurants

Not knowing how much money you will make in a day

Darden Restaurants Benefits

Tips and meeting new people

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3.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2021
Pros of working at Darden Restaurants

coworkers and have great managers

Cons of working at Darden Restaurants

low paying for the hard work I do

Darden Restaurants Benefits

discount at all Darden restaurants and great food

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4.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2021
Pros of working at Darden Restaurants

Flexible schedule. Decent above minimum wage pay.

Cons of working at Darden Restaurants

Hardly any opportunity for advancement

Darden Restaurants Benefits

Discount at Darden restaurants

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5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2020
Pros of working at Darden Restaurants

Sociable colleagues; Company credit union; Discounts at large retail stores/restaurants

Cons of working at Darden Restaurants

Understaffed scheduling; non-flexible hours

Darden Restaurants Benefits

Retirement options

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5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2020
Pros of working at Darden Restaurants

I loved meeting new people and being able to help plan events for all my clients.

Cons of working at Darden Restaurants

No opportunities to advance

Darden Restaurants Benefits

One of the most constant and important factors in my life is helping others.

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4.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2020
Pros of working at Darden Restaurants

Understanding management, skill building opportunities, loose but professional environment

Cons of working at Darden Restaurants

Lack of managers

Darden Restaurants Benefits

Personalized scheduling

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5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2020
Pros of working at Darden Restaurants

Guest interaction and managing team members and making guests happy.

Cons of working at Darden Restaurants

Not enough flexibility

Darden Restaurants Benefits

Benefits, competitive pay

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4.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros of working at Darden Restaurants

Management is great. Flexible schedule. Easy to make money.

Cons of working at Darden Restaurants

Rude customers. Bad tippers.

Darden Restaurants Benefits

Flexible schedules.

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2.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2019
Pros of working at Darden Restaurants

Good money from tips

Cons of working at Darden Restaurants

Management is unreliable with schedules, even if they mess up your schedule it's your job to fix it when they can't do the most basic job of a manager.

Darden Restaurants Benefits

Paid daily

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4.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2019
Pros of working at Darden Restaurants

Benefits, structure, growth

Cons of working at Darden Restaurants

Hours and intensity. Workload

Darden Restaurants Benefits

Healthcare and bonus plan

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3.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2019
Pros of working at Darden Restaurants

Guest are very nice and most of the time tipped well

Cons of working at Darden Restaurants

Managers

Darden Restaurants Benefits

Schedule flexibility

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Frequently asked questions about Darden Restaurants salaries

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Zippia gives an in-depth look into the details of Darden Restaurants, including salaries, political affiliations, employee data, and more, in order to inform job seekers about Darden Restaurants. The employee data is based on information from people who have self-reported their past or current employments at Darden Restaurants. The data on this page is also based on data sources collected from public and open data sources on the Internet and other locations, as well as proprietary data we licensed from other companies. Sources of data may include, but are not limited to, the BLS, company filings, estimates based on those filings, H1B filings, and other public and private datasets. While we have made attempts to ensure that the information displayed are correct, Zippia is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of this information. None of the information on this page has been provided or approved by Darden Restaurants. The data presented on this page does not represent the view of Darden Restaurants and its employees or that of Zippia.

Darden Restaurants may also be known as or be related to Darden, Darden Concepts, Inc., Darden Restaurants, Darden Restaurants Inc, Darden Restaurants, Inc., olive garden and Longhorn Steakhouse.