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What is a restaurant/bar manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
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The average restaurant/bar manager salary is $51,720. The most common degree is a bachelor's degree degree with an business major. It usually takes 2-4 years of experience to become a restaurant/bar manager. Restaurant/bar managers with a Certified Food Manager (CFM) certification earn more money. Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 10% and produce 32,300 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreRestaurant/BAR ManagerUS Average
Salary
4.0

Avg. Salary $51,720

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
9.1

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
7.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.57%

Asian 7.71%

Black or African American 10.64%

Hispanic or Latino 16.72%

Unknown 5.21%

White 59.14%

Gender

female 44.02%

male 55.98%

Age - 38
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 38
Stress level
9.1

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
5.3

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
5.0

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Restaurant/bar manager career paths

Key steps to become a restaurant/bar manager

  1. Explore restaurant/bar manager education requirements

    Most common restaurant/bar manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    58.0 %

    Associate

    21.1 %

    High School Diploma

    11.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific restaurant/bar manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Food Handling36.20%
    Customer Service10.18%
    Wine5.44%
    Guest Satisfaction4.82%
    Restaurant Operations3.94%
  3. Complete relevant restaurant/bar manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New restaurant/bar managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a restaurant/bar manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real restaurant/bar manager resumes.
  4. Research restaurant/bar manager duties and responsibilities

    • Manage staffing, scheduling, FOH monthly meetings and training.
    • Manage multiple bars and restaurants by performing managerial duties such as staffing, accounting, inventory, and entertainment.
    • Manage associates while bartending and serving in a family-own restaurant.
    • Monitor restaurant and banquet bars and ensure exceptional food quality and service standards are met.
  5. Prepare your restaurant/bar manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your restaurant/bar manager resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a restaurant/bar manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable restaurant/bar manager resume templates

    Build a professional restaurant/bar manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your restaurant/bar manager resume.
    Restaurant/BAR Manager Resume
    Restaurant/BAR Manager Resume
    Restaurant/BAR Manager Resume
    Restaurant/BAR Manager Resume
    Restaurant/BAR Manager Resume
    Restaurant/BAR Manager Resume
    Restaurant/BAR Manager Resume
    Restaurant/BAR Manager Resume
    Restaurant/BAR Manager Resume
  6. Apply for restaurant/bar manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a restaurant/bar manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first restaurant/bar manager job

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Average restaurant/bar manager salary

The average restaurant/bar manager salary in the United States is $51,720 per year or $25 per hour. Restaurant/bar manager salaries range between $37,000 and $70,000 per year.

Average restaurant/bar manager salary
$51,720 Yearly
$24.87 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do restaurant/bar managers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Restaurant/bar manager reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2023
Cons

Long hours, late nights, staffing, constantly adjusting to economic changes.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020
Pros

Leadership setting goals as team players, enjoying effective communication and understanding people and providing the best services and products. Happy staff happy business.

Cons

Negativity, bad customer service, and dishonesty and disrespect from stafff


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2019
Pros

The guest and the employees, being able to interact with Customers

Cons

some long hours, also working mostly Holidays


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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