Job outlook for restaurant owners in the United States

Restaurant owner job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:

The projected restaurant owner job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 32,300 new jobs for restaurant owners are projected over the next decade.
Restaurant owner salaries have increased 11% for restaurant owners in the last 5 years.
There are over 24,107 restaurant owners currently employed in the United States.
There are 175,102 active restaurant owner job openings in the US.
The average restaurant owner salary is $48,167.

Are restaurant owner jobs in demand?

Yes, restaurant owner jobs are in demand. Restaurant owner demand is projected to grow 10% from 2018 to 2028.

Restaurant owner job and salary trends over time

Compare the number of restaurant owner jobs and the average restaurant owner salary over time.

Restaurant owner jobs over time

Restaurant owner job growth rate over time

Year	# of jobs	% of population
2021	24,107	0.01%
2020	22,543	0.01%
2019	26,944	0.01%
2018	25,077	0.01%
2017	23,813	0.01%

Average restaurant owner salary over time

Restaurant owner salary by year

Year	Avg. salary	Hourly rate	% Change
2025	$48,167	$23.16	+2.3%
2024	$47,086	$22.64	+2.0%
2023	$46,167	$22.20	+4.2%
2022	$44,286	$21.29	+2.4%
2021	$43,256	$20.80	+4.4%

Top restaurant owner jobs near you

Restaurant owner jobs by state

The map below shows you the number of restaurant owner job openings in each state. The darker areas on the map show where restaurant owners earn the highest salaries across all 50 states.

Most common states for restaurant owners

Rank	State	Population	# of jobs	Employment/ 1000ppl
1	Nebraska	1,920,076	1,751	91%
2	Kentucky	4,454,189	3,197	72%
3	West Virginia	1,815,857	1,299	72%
4	Iowa	3,145,711	2,153	68%
5	Wyoming	579,315	373	64%
6	Idaho	1,716,943	1,068	62%
7	Minnesota	5,576,606	3,270	59%
8	Tennessee	6,715,984	3,681	55%
9	Louisiana	4,684,333	2,553	55%
10	North Carolina	10,273,419	5,465	53%
11	New Mexico	2,088,070	1,107	53%
12	South Carolina	5,024,369	2,572	51%
13	Virginia	8,470,020	4,225	50%
14	Georgia	10,429,379	4,874	47%
15	Michigan	9,962,311	4,708	47%
16	Wisconsin	5,795,483	2,725	47%
17	Kansas	2,913,123	1,345	46%
18	Indiana	6,666,818	2,933	44%
19	Ohio	11,658,609	4,627	40%
20	Oregon	4,142,776	1,673	40%

Most common cities for restaurant owners

Rank	City	# of jobs	Employment/ 1000ppl	Avg. salary
1	Holland	1	3%	$40,607

Restaurant owner jobs

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