As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Culinary Services Director in District of Columbia is $125,300 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $60.
However, a Culinary Services Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Culinary Services Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Culinary Services Director's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Culinary Services Supervisor | 0-3 years | $44,726 |
| Culinary Services Manager | 3-5 years | $100,275 |
| Culinary Services Director | 5+ years | $125,240 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Culinary Services Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Culinary Services Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $135,734. While startup companies pay approximate $114,921.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $114,921 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $121,515 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $131,122 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $135,734 |
For Culinary Services Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Hospitality & Leisure and Retail & Wholesale sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Culinary Services Director positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Culinary Services Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospitality & Leisure | $162,890 | $78.0 | 30% |
| Retail & Wholesale | $137,830 | $66.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Culinary Services Director's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on July 01, 2026For a Culinary Services Director, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Casino Restaurant Operations Director role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $133,000 - a projected growth of 6% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Culinary Services Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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