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Job outlook for service managers in the United States
Service manager job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected service manager job growth rate is 6% from 2018-2028.
About 189,200 new jobs for service managers are projected over the next decade.
Service manager salaries have increased 4% for service managers in the last 5 years.
There are over 192,496 service managers currently employed in the United States.
There are 341,785 active service manager job openings in the US.
The average service manager salary is $74,009.
Are service manager jobs in demand?
Service manager job and salary trends over time
Service manager jobs over time
Service manager job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 192,496 | 0.06% |
| 2020 | 159,992 | 0.05% |
| 2019 | 164,378 | 0.05% |
| 2018 | 158,414 | 0.05% |
| 2017 | 153,918 | 0.05% |
Average service manager salary over time
Service manager salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $74,009 | $35.58 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $71,960 | $34.60 | --0.1% |
| 2023 | $72,067 | $34.65 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | $71,696 | $34.47 | +1.1% |
| 2021 | $70,910 | $34.09 | +1.6% |
Service manager jobs by state
Most common states for service managers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 581 | 84% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,499 | 36% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 489 | 36% |
| 4 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 340 | 32% |
| 5 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,706 | 31% |
| 6 | Delaware | 961,939 | 293 | 30% |
| 7 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,488 | 29% |
| 8 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 868 | 28% |
| 9 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 2,007 | 27% |
| 10 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,646 | 27% |
| 11 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 860 | 27% |
| 12 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 2,688 | 26% |
| 13 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,437 | 26% |
| 14 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 1,076 | 26% |
| 15 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 947 | 26% |
| 16 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 3,234 | 25% |
| 17 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 2,600 | 25% |
| 18 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 2,292 | 25% |
| 19 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,676 | 25% |
| 20 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,438 | 25% |
Most common cities for service managers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lansing | 12 | 10% | $69,346 |
| 2 | Atlanta | 41 | 9% | $62,820 |
| 3 | Des Moines | 19 | 9% | $56,357 |
| 4 | Little Rock | 15 | 8% | $57,452 |
| 5 | Boston | 43 | 6% | $82,928 |
| 6 | Miami | 21 | 5% | $53,529 |
| 7 | Baton Rouge | 12 | 5% | $66,497 |
| 8 | Washington | 25 | 4% | $91,942 |
| 9 | Sacramento | 22 | 4% | $97,036 |
| 10 | San Francisco | 25 | 3% | $97,876 |
| 11 | Indianapolis | 24 | 3% | $60,760 |
| 12 | Denver | 23 | 3% | $79,213 |
| 13 | Phoenix | 27 | 2% | $60,768 |
| 14 | San Jose | 19 | 2% | $97,063 |
| 15 | Baltimore | 15 | 2% | $69,896 |
| 16 | Detroit | 13 | 2% | $69,702 |
| 17 | Chicago | 40 | 1% | $74,095 |
| 18 | Los Angeles | 34 | 1% | $86,310 |
| 19 | San Diego | 19 | 1% | $83,636 |
Service Manager job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of service manager experts
Murray State University
Indiana University Kokomo
SUNY Plattsburgh
Catawba College
Texas Tech University
University of San Francisco
University of New Hampshire
Cypress College, School of Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management
Missouri State University
Lynn University
Creighton University
University of Central Florida
Pepperdine University, Seaver College
Sam Houston State University
Farmingdale State College
Appalachian State University
The City College of New York
Belmont University
Sonoma State University
Dr. Ben Littlepage
ProfessorMurray State University
Educational Administration And Supervision
What will help Service Managers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Ben Littlepage: Salary is maximized when leaders are sought after. Leaders who pursue meaningful experiences and remain 'market ready' are viewed as an asset to any organization. Leaders must carefully consider where the field is moving and respond.
What Service Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Kim Roberts: Business professionals lead organizations by focused efforts that revolve around products/services, processes, and people. Business professionals work to ensure the firm's products and/or services meet customer expectations, with an eye toward an ever-changing market. They manage processes that produce or support the firm's products. This requires the ability to analyze data to make informed decisions, to drive continuous improvement, and to solve problems through critical thinking. Successful business professionals must also create climates that promote teamwork and foster collaboration.
Mark Meng Ph.D.
Mark Z. Meng, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Hospitality and Tourism ManagementIndiana University Kokomo
Business/Commerce
What general advice would you give to a Service Manager?
Mark Meng Ph.D.: Analytical skill comes at the top. The hospitality world has becoming increasingly
dependent on data. Crisis and emergency management demonstrated their importance
in the past three years across all areas of the hospitality industry.
Dr. Laurent Josien
Associate Professor, Chair of the Marketing and Entrepreneurship DepartmentSUNY Plattsburgh
Marketing and Entrepreneurship Department
What hard/technical skills are most important for Service Managers?
Dr. Laurent Josien: Time management and analytical skills will help you succeed in any career you choose.
Dr. Elizabeth Homan Ph.D.
Professors, Department ChairCatawba College
Theatre Arts
What soft skills should all Service Managers possess?
Dr. Elizabeth Homan Ph.D.: Networking, networking, networking. And being a nice, friendly, honest human being. Flexibility and a level head in the face of persistent change. Resilience and an ability to work with the conditions in which you find yourself. Working with what you have, not what you wish you had.
Charlie Adams Ph.D.
Associate Professor, RHIM Undergraduate AdvisorTexas Tech University
Restaurant, Hotel, & Institutional Management Program
What skills stand out on Service Manager resumes?
Charlie Adams Ph.D.: Specific, measurable skills such as certification for specific activities like bartending or Serve Safe. Demonstrate capabilities through past work experience such as waiting tables, hosting, front desk, housekeeping, etc., that show effort and familiarity with the environment. Also, demonstration of marketing, sales, and/or finance are extremely beneficial. These assessable skills should be found on the resume called out in the job descriptions. Additionally, a person's work experience should reflect their career aspirations and goals. The best measure of future performance is past experience!
Thomas Maier Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Hospitality ManagementUniversity of San Francisco
School of Management
What skills stand out on Service Manager resumes?
Thomas Maier Ph.D.: Effective communication skills, experience in the field with service and guest relations. Leadership and team-building.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Service Managers?
Thomas Maier Ph.D.: Financial acumen, technology systems, and data analysis.
Daniel Innis Ph.D.
Professor of Marketing and Hospitality ManagementUniversity of New Hampshire
Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics
What hard/technical skills are most important for Service Managers?
Daniel Innis Ph.D.: I think that an understanding of revenue management is key. I tell my students that in every transaction, every party should feel that they made a "profit." The business gets some money. The customer should get more value than the money that they gave up. If that is the case, then they come back. In addition, the ability to spot opportunities for additional revenue is key. We never charge for parking or internet at our properties as that annoys customers. We did, however, offer beer and wine room service (the front desk staff could handle that) at a great price, and we had a gift shop that was right next to the front desk, again staffed when necessary by the front desk. These two moves did not add expenses to our operation, but they did add revenue and profit. Spotting those easy opportunities to add value for guests is key, and it is great when it also adds to the bottom line.
Amanda Gargano
ProfessorCypress College, School of Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management
Hotel, Restaurant & Culinary Arts
What skills will help Service Managers earn the most?
Amanda Gargano: A combination of soft skills, interpersonal skills, and technical skills is ideal. Oftentimes, hiring managers in hospitality are very willing to onboard a new employee with strong, soft skills, knowing that the technical skills can be taught through on-the-job training and mentoring. Continuing education, participating in networking opportunities, and industry-focused workshops and conferences are all good ways to continue to learn and add to your resume.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Service Manager job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Liza Cobos: In your opinion, what are the biggest trends we'll see in the job market given the pandemic?
Employers are looking for graduates that are able to adapt and be flexible. Because of the reduction in positions and personnel, organizations are asking employees to not only do more, but also to do a variety of things that may not be their areas of strength. Having that flexibility will allow graduates to learn different responsibilities but also provide them opportunities for professional growth.
Employers are also looking for ways to improve the customer experience and fix problems. Therefore, employers are going to be looking for people that can find creative ways to improve the business, the customer experience and the service delivery.
What technical skills for a Service Manager stand out to employers?
Dr. Liza Cobos: Employers are looking for transferable skills, skills like critical thinking and technical skills (i.e. excel) are in demand. Having the technical skills to analyze data and critical thinking skills to generate and provide solutions. The industry is always looking for ways to improve sales and pricing strategies to help the bottom line. Being able to demonstrate these skills will with career advancement.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Service Managers?
Amanda Main Ph.D.: I believe there will be an enduring impact of the pandemic on graduates, and I believe it will be composed of both disadvantages and advantages. Obviously, we have seen a decline in employment across almost all sectors, which has reduced opportunities for post-graduation employment. The safety restrictions are also making it difficult for many students to find internships while in the final years of study, and that is a real disadvantage because it is depriving them of invaluable real-world experience that will help them succeed in the workplace, and that employers are looking for.
Unfortunately, the pandemic is also going to have deleterious effects for many female graduates, as job sectors that have heavy female representation such as hospitality, retail, and education have been disproportionately impacted, and we may see the wage gap returning to be more of an issue than we have seen in recent years. On the other hand, graduates will be entering the job market with coping skills that are going to be incredibly valuable in the coming times.
Students have had to adapt, integrate new technologies, and learn new ways of doing things in response to this event, and college graduates have the advantage of being trained in this, as colleges and universities have been very intentional about not throwing their students into the deep end of the pool without support and guidance. This should make them an asset to the workforce as industries begin to rebuild and continue to look forward with an innovative mindset.
What soft skills should all Service Managers possess?
Amanda Main Ph.D.: This is a great question because there has actually been an increasing call for colleges and universities to enhance their curriculums because organizations are finding recent graduates lacking in soft skills that are necessary for success. In addition to the skills I mentioned above, The National Association for Colleges and Employers released a list of critical competencies to ensure career readiness, which includes skills such as critical thinking and problem solving, oral and written communication, teamwork and collaboration, leadership, professionalism and work ethic, career management, and global/intercultural fluency.
This should be a bare minimum that graduates are striving for. I would also suggest having a strong focus on increasing emotional intelligence (EQ), which will really help at several career stages including promoting oneself in a job search, negotiating employment offers, advancing and maturing through the arc of one's career, and even exiting from the workforce at retirement.
There are a lot of ways to obtain these skills, and it is important to really give them attention and practice when opportunities arise in the classroom, such as writing papers and giving presentations, to learning from podcasts and reading books and attending open webinars by experts and influencers. These skills are very attainable, but I have found that few graduates take the opportunities to develop them, but by putting forth that extra effort, a graduate can really stand out.
What soft skills should all Service Managers possess?
Ravi Nath Ph.D.: Good communication skills, both written and oral, always serve well. Unless a graduate is able to effectively communicate and share their ideas and thoughts with others, their technical skills alone will not be sufficient in having a rewarding professional career.
The ability to successfully adapt to changing environments is also pivotal as the half-life of technology is quickly shrinking.
I will also add "resiliency' to this list of soft skills. Recovering from setbacks and quickly getting back on your feet has become a mantra particularly in the tech fields such as MIS and Data Science.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Service Manager job market given the pandemic?
Jessica Wickey-Byrd: In regards to the job market in the hospitality and tourism industry, the biggest trend we are seeing is the ability to pivot into other industries while ours is rebuilding. Hospitality students have excellent transferable skills that translate across multiple industries. They have guest service skills, marketing skills, financial skills, and human resource skills that are applicable in retail, real estate, financial services, healthcare, senior living, marketing and more. Hospitality students are trained with servant leadership, and have the soft skills to be leaders across all careers.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Service Managers?
Steven Bauer: The coronavirus has accelerated the transformation to a digital world, and this effect will continue after the pandemic is behind us. Graduates will need to be able to navigate a hybrid business environment, with in-person and virtual meetings, interactions and platforms. There will also be increased opportunities to be entrepreneurial and innovative in the digital area. In addition, graduates will have to become more skilled at navigating a global environment since greater digitization will draw countries closer to each other.
Carliss Miller Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of ManagementSam Houston State University
Department of Management & Marketing
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Service Manager job market given the pandemic?
Carliss Miller Ph.D.: Flexible working arrangements were considered a perk or benefit, but given the pandemic more and more jobs will be designed with flexible work arrangements in mind. We will continue to see trends in the labor market with a push towards personal services (e.g. virtual assistants, professional organizers) and professional services. There will also continue to be a demand for knowledge work. More and more, employers are looking to hire applicants that can provide concrete evidence of being "Day 1" ready.
Employers will focus more on identifying prospects with certain "soft skills" which were a nice-to-have pre-pandemic, but are now critical for organizational survival. These skills include: critical thinking, agility, ability to adapt to change, resilience, virtual team effectiveness, crisis management, emotional intelligence, empathy, and inclusive leadership. Additionally, data analysis and interpretation is a highly sought after skill even for jobs that historically did not require analytical ability.
What's a good job out of college for Service Managers?
Carliss Miller Ph.D.: Good jobs out of college are those that offer structured training, development, and job rotation. While some college students identified their career at age 5 and never veered away, some are still figuring out what they want to do after college. A job opportunity that recognizes the potential of new talent, willing to invest in training and development, and provides opportunities for new employees to experience different job functions enables new graduates to gain a realistic job preview that pays and allows them to identify an opportunity within the company that best aligns with skills and interests. Positions that are for a specific job function but have an apprenticeship model, like a "sales trainee" position, are also great for career stepping stones right out of college.
Xu Zhang Ph.D.
ChairFarmingdale State College
Department of Economics
What skills stand out on Service Manager resumes?
Xu Zhang Ph.D.: I believe the most important attributes employers seek on a resume remain the same-problem solving skills, team work skills, analytical/quantitative skills, verbal and written communication skills. However, given the pandemic or any other unexpected shock to work environment, how to quickly and efficiently adapt to new work modes can be a very valuable attribute standing out on resume.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Service Manager job market given the pandemic?
Lubna Nafees Ph.D.: The pandemic has escalated the rate at which life was changing. For instance, everyone started shopping online. Businesses were compelled to focus on mobile and e-commerce. Many small businesses, specially salons, restaurants etc had to shut shop as people stayed home. A significant number of people lost their jobs, mostly non-technical, seasonal jobs like the frontline sales employees. On the other hand, high-skill technical jobs grew. Digital marketing and strategy specialists, Data analysts, Digital transformation specialists, AI and machine learning specialists, Business development specialists were/are in demand and these jobs will only grow in the next five years. The skill sets required to work in the new human-machine workplace have led to obsolescence of the older skill sets. And that trend will only grow in the coming years.
What Service Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Lubna Nafees Ph.D.: If a graduate needs to take a gap year, they could do what some of the companies who lost business during the pandemic are doing. They are in an introspection and "reset" mode. Sometimes to move forward, you first need to step back. Graduates can use this time to better understand the transition happening in the marketplace so that when they do join the workforce, they are a good fit for the new workplace. There is definitely merit in aligning with the growing market trends and focussing on Digital Marketing and business analytics skills.
What type of skills will young Service Managers need?
Prabal Kumar De Ph.D.: I think the necessary skills remain the same. One modification that would stay is greater virtual engagement. Therefore, newly essential skills such as acing a virtual interview, making a mark during a Zoom meeting, or managing or being a valuable part of a remote working group would be useful long after the immediate threats from the COVID-19 crisis be gone.
Nina Woodard
Senior Career Development SpecialistBelmont University
Office of Career & Professional Development
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Service Manager job market given the pandemic?
Nina Woodard: The pandemic hasn't impacted all areas of the entertainment industry in the same way. Anything related to live events and touring has been placed on an extended pause, which has been very difficult for graduates hoping to work in those fields. On an encouraging note, consumers will always find a way back to live experiences, so that segment of the industry will absolutely recover; the timing is just still a bit unknown. Other areas such as record or publishing companies have held steady. And, digital marketing and content creation companies are as busy, if not busier, than they've ever been as artists seek alternative ways to stay connected to their fans. Technology has intersected with entertainment in exciting, creative ways that will continue even as some of the more traditional avenues become available again. For many companies, ideas that started as pivots are now vibrant components of their long-term strategies.
The way we work may have also permanently changed. Companies have realized that remote working is a truly viable option for most businesses. While maintaining company culture, and the social nature of an entertainment-based organization, may still require some level of in-person interaction, it seems likely that many organizations may continue with remote/hybrid office models.
What Service Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Nina Woodard: For entertainment, digital marketing and content creation skills are critical. Even if a role isn't specifically connected to digital marketing, social media is almost always involved in most entry-level roles. We strongly encourage students and recent graduates to learn basic graphic design platforms, video editing and audio editing. Learning how to maximize impact on social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram or TikTok is also a worthy investment of time. There's a wide range of self-paced training resources online, many available for free or at reduced costs for students.
Craig Nathanson Ph.D.
Adjunct LecturerSonoma State University
School of Business & Economics
What type of skills will young Service Managers need?
Craig Nathanson Ph.D.: I see the essential human skills gaining importance to build a new post-covid work life. These include creativity, leading and working in teams, writing, speaking, being self-aware, and lowering bias and networking; career branding as critical areas for graduates to focus on now.
What experience really stands out on Service Manager resumes?
Craig Nathanson Ph.D.: Most important on resumes to only show accomplishments you are proud of and reflect measurable success and completion of past work. These accomplishments should be a snapshot of what we have done and can do in the future. The most important two lines of a resume are in the objectives, to list what the person is seeking. These two lines give the reader a quick view of what the person wants.
Now is a great time to start the new year to build a portable work portfolio to represent an alignment of what a person is excited about and enjoys in their work.