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Cafeteria manager salary
Average cafeteria manager salary
$15.62
Understanding Cafeteria Manager Salaries
The average Cafeteria Manager earns approximately $32,485 annually, translating to around $16 per hour. However, salaries can differ significantly based on various factors, including geographical location, industry type, and years of experience. For example, Cafeteria Managers in metropolitan areas often command higher salaries due to the cost of living.
Salary Variations by State
Different states offer varying pay scales for Cafeteria Managers. States like California and New York typically provide higher compensation compared to others. It’s crucial to research local job markets to understand salary expectations better.
Opportunities Across Industries
Cafeteria Managers can find roles in diverse sectors, including education, healthcare, and corporate environments. Each industry has unique demands and can influence salary levels. For instance, corporate cafeterias may offer higher salaries compared to school settings.
Maximizing Your Earnings
Experience plays a significant role in salary growth. Entry-level positions might start lower, but with time and additional responsibilities, salaries can rise. Networking and continuous professional development can also enhance your career prospects.
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Where can a Cafeteria Manager earn more?
Cafeteria manager salary estimates from across the web
Average cafeteria manager salary by state
The average cafeteria manager salary in Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and New Jersey are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average cafeteria manager salary states are Arkansas, North Carolina, and Florida.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for cafeteria managers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wisconsin | $34,076 | $16.38 |
| 2 | Indiana | $32,298 | $15.53 |
| 3 | Maine | $38,718 | $18.61 |
| 4 | Minnesota | $35,749 | $17.19 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $39,196 | $18.84 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $39,809 | $19.14 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | $39,584 | $19.03 |
| 8 | Washington | $36,584 | $17.59 |
| 9 | Nevada | $34,868 | $16.76 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $35,689 | $17.16 |
| 11 | Alabama | $30,905 | $14.86 |
| 12 | Connecticut | $36,178 | $17.39 |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | $32,454 | $15.60 |
| 14 | Michigan | $29,840 | $14.35 |
| 15 | Vermont | $35,489 | $17.06 |
| 16 | Wyoming | $30,321 | $14.58 |
| 17 | New York | $35,249 | $16.95 |
| 18 | Illinois | $31,778 | $15.28 |
| 19 | Utah | $30,654 | $14.74 |
| 20 | Ohio | $28,776 | $13.83 |
| 21 | California | $35,960 | $17.29 |
| 22 | Idaho | $31,180 | $14.99 |
| 23 | Missouri | $30,006 | $14.43 |
| 24 | Hawaii | $37,545 | $18.05 |
| 25 | Louisiana | $28,945 | $13.92 |
| 26 | West Virginia | $29,101 | $13.99 |
| 27 | Iowa | $29,517 | $14.19 |
| 28 | Delaware | $32,828 | $15.78 |
| 29 | Maryland | $32,535 | $15.64 |
| 30 | Alaska | $31,935 | $15.35 |
| 31 | Arizona | $30,847 | $14.83 |
| 32 | Nebraska | $29,222 | $14.05 |
| 33 | Georgia | $28,095 | $13.51 |
| 34 | Colorado | $30,484 | $14.66 |
| 35 | Oregon | $31,935 | $15.35 |
| 36 | Virginia | $30,243 | $14.54 |
| 37 | North Dakota | $29,207 | $14.04 |
| 38 | Kentucky | $25,683 | $12.35 |
| 39 | Texas | $27,459 | $13.20 |
| 40 | New Mexico | $29,211 | $14.04 |
| 41 | Montana | $27,941 | $13.43 |
| 42 | Mississippi | $25,953 | $12.48 |
| 43 | Arkansas | $25,603 | $12.31 |
| 44 | District of Columbia | $31,844 | $15.31 |
| 45 | Oklahoma | $25,693 | $12.35 |
| 46 | South Carolina | $24,868 | $11.96 |
| 47 | North Carolina | $25,321 | $12.17 |
| 48 | Kansas | $24,936 | $11.99 |
| 49 | Tennessee | $23,711 | $11.40 |
| 50 | Florida | $24,966 | $12.00 |
| 51 | South Dakota | $26,683 | $12.83 |
Highest paying cities for cafeteria managers
The highest-paying cities for cafeteria managers are Waterbury, CT, Redding, CA, and Boston, MA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waterbury, CT | $36,290 | $17.45 |
| 2 | Redding, CA | $36,238 | $17.42 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $35,721 | $17.17 |
| 4 | Las Vegas, NV | $34,612 | $16.64 |
| 5 | Philadelphia, PA | $32,767 | $15.75 |
| 6 | Birmingham, AL | $31,009 | $14.91 |
| 7 | Orem, UT | $30,598 | $14.71 |
| 8 | Denver, CO | $30,515 | $14.67 |
| 9 | Sierra Vista, AZ | $30,317 | $14.58 |
| 10 | Kansas City, MO | $30,235 | $14.54 |
| 11 | New Orleans, LA | $28,721 | $13.81 |
| 12 | San Antonio, TX | $27,640 | $13.29 |
| 13 | Edmond, OK | $25,692 | $12.35 |
| 14 | Wake Forest, NC | $25,604 | $12.31 |
| 15 | Jonesboro, AR | $25,560 | $12.29 |
| 16 | Jacksonville, FL | $25,007 | $12.02 |
| 17 | Kansas City, KS | $24,937 | $11.99 |
| 18 | Memphis, TN | $23,730 | $11.41 |
Cafeteria manager salary details
A cafeteria manager's salary ranges from $21,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $48,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a cafeteria manager's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $48,000 | $4,000 | $23 |
| 75th Percentile | $40,000 | $3,333 | $19 |
| Average | $32,485 | $2,707 | $16 |
| 25th Percentile | $26,000 | $2,167 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $21,000 | $1,750 | $10 |
Highest paying cafeteria manager jobs
The highest paying types of cafeteria managers are manager, food service director, and banquet manager.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food Service Director | $53,939 | $4,495 | $25.93 | 136,337 |
| Shift Lead Manager | $34,547 | $2,879 | $16.61 | 274,021 |
| Food Manager | $37,654 | $3,138 | $18.10 | 276,643 |
| Kitchen Manager | $50,448 | $4,204 | $24.25 | 151,781 |
| Restaurant Manager | $52,202 | $4,350 | $25.10 | 225,340 |
| Food And Beverage Manager | $53,013 | $4,418 | $25.49 | 159,775 |
Which companies pay cafeteria managers the most?
Cafeteria manager salaries at Boston Public Schools and Union County Public Schools are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average cafeteria manager salary at companies like Fayette County Public Schools and Ingles Markets are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston Public Schools | $70,073 | $33.69 |
| 2 | Union County Public Schools | $36,043 | $17.33 |
| 3 | Fayette County Public Schools | $34,598 | $16.63 |
| 4 | Ingles Markets | $34,361 | $16.52 |
| 5 | Buena Vista University | $34,094 | $16.39 |
| 6 | Hemet Unified School District | $33,275 | $16.00 |
| 7 | Archdiocese Of San Antonio | $32,493 | $15.62 |
| 8 | Kelly Services | $32,376 | $15.57 |
| 9 | Universal Health Services | $31,721 | $15.25 |
| 10 | SLA Management | $31,317 | $15.06 |
| 11 | Archdiocese of Indianapolis | $30,744 | $14.78 |
| 12 | Taher, Inc. Professional Food Service Management | $30,453 | $14.64 |
| 13 | Moorpark Unified School District | $29,846 | $14.35 |
| 14 | Wentzville R Iv School District | $29,645 | $14.25 |
| 15 | Aramark | $29,584 | $14.22 |
| 16 | Vista Unified | $28,833 | $13.86 |
| 17 | Barber National Institute | $28,748 | $13.82 |
| 18 | Tolleson Union High School District | $28,155 | $13.54 |
| 19 | Five Star Gourmet Foods | $27,885 | $13.41 |
| 20 | Bedford County Public Schools | $27,802 | $13.37 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Cafeteria Manager salary by industry
The average cafeteria manager salary varies across industries:
- The average cafeteria manager salary in the hospitality industry is $32,241, the highest of any industry.
- The average cafeteria manager salary in the finance industry is $31,881.
- Cafeteria managers in the retail industry earn an average salary of $29,238, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for cafeteria managers
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hospitality | $32,241 | $15.50 |
| 2 | Education | $31,881 | $15.33 |
| 3 | Non Profits | $30,089 | $14.47 |
| 4 | Retail | $29,238 | $14.06 |
High paying cafeteria manager jobs
Cafeteria manager salary trends
The average cafeteria manager salary has risen by $4,868 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average cafeteria manager earned $27,617 annually, but today, they earn $32,485 a year. That works out to a 11% change in pay for cafeteria managers over the last decade.
Compare cafeteria manager salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average cafeteria manager salary over time
Compare cafeteria manager salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Cafeteria manager salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $32,500 | $15.62 | +2.2% |
| 2024 | $31,800 | $15.27 | +2.0% |
| 2023 | $31,100 | $14.97 | +4.1% |
| 2022 | $29,900 | $14.36 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $29,200 | $14.03 | +4.2% |
Recently added cafeteria manager salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calvert County Public Schools | CHS: Cafeteria Manager (JOB ID# 3080) | Prince Frederick, MD | 06/26/2025 | $53,052 |
| Anchorage School District | Elementary School Cafeteria Manager I | Nome, AK | 06/25/2025 | $34,790 |
| Anchorage Schools | Elementary School Cafeteria Manager I | Anchorage, AK | 06/25/2025 | $34,790 |
| Alaska Teachers and Personnel | Elementary School Cafeteria Manager II | Nome, AK | 06/25/2025 | $35,604 |
| Nye County School District | Cafeteria Manager | Pahrump, NV | 06/25/2025 | $35,709 |
| El Dorado Public Schools | Cafeteria Manager | El Dorado, AR | 06/21/2025 | $29,197 |
| Mission Consolidated Independent School District | CNP Cafeteria Manager-Elementary/Rover (3) | Nome, TX | 06/21/2025 | $32,870 |
| Idea Public Schools | Cafeteria Manager-Idea Rundberg (Immediate Opening) | Austin, TX | 06/20/2025 | $55,932 |
| Mission CISD (Tx | CNP Cafeteria Manager-Elementary/Rover (3) | Mission, TX | 06/20/2025 | $32,870 |
| Virginia Beach Public School | Cafeteria Manager In Training | Virginia Beach, VA | 06/18/2025 | $34,018 |
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