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The differences between food managers and assistant managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a food manager, becoming an assistant manager takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an assistant manager has an average salary of $39,127, which is higher than the $37,654 average annual salary of a food manager.
The top three skills for a food manager include food handling, cleanliness and cash control. The most important skills for an assistant manager are paperwork, cleanliness, and customer service.
| Food Manager | Assistant Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $37,654 | $39,127 |
| Hourly rate | $18.10 | $18.81 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 276,643 | 566,132 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 44% | Bachelor's Degree, 42% |
| Average age | 39 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A food manager oversees the operations at various dining establishments, ensuring efficient food services and client satisfaction. Their responsibilities typically include managing the staff, setting schedules and guidelines, establishing objectives and budgets, liaising with vendors and suppliers, delegating tasks, and developing strategies to optimize overall operations. There are also instances where they may assist customers, arrange reservations, process payments, prepare and organize documents, hire and train new members of the workforce, and resolve issues and concerns. Moreover, as a food manager, they must lead and encourage the staff to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
An assistant manager provides assistance and support to the direct manager in ensuring that the business runs smoothly with guaranteed satisfaction. An associate manager helps organize daily projects and manages employees to make sure that tasks are being done in a timely and accurate manner. Assistant managers are also expected to develop a good relationship with the whole workforce and clients to contribute to a successful and healthy workplace. An assistant manager is also required to present practical strategies for business growth, monitor daily operations, and communicate with clients for any possible suggestions and complaints.
Food managers and assistant managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Food Manager | Assistant Manager | |
| Average salary | $37,654 | $39,127 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $57,000 | Between $23,000 And $64,000 |
| Highest paying City | Freehold, NJ | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Southern Healthcare | Simpson Thacher & Bartlett |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Finance |
There are a few differences between a food manager and an assistant manager in terms of educational background:
| Food Manager | Assistant Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 44% | Bachelor's Degree, 42% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Cornell University | University of Georgia |
Here are the differences between food managers' and assistant managers' demographics:
| Food Manager | Assistant Manager | |
| Average age | 39 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 51.9% Female, 48.1% | Male, 42.0% Female, 58.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 8.6% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |