As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cafeteria Manager in the United States is $85,570 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.
However, a Cafeteria Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered HR
Smart Recruiting
A Cafeteria Manager'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Cafeteria Manager'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Cafeteria Manager | $81,606 |
| Intermediate Level Cafeteria Manager | $82,082 |
| Senior Level Cafeteria Manager | $83,667 |
| Specialist Level Cafeteria Manager | $85,570 |
| Expert Level Cafeteria Manager | $88,731 |
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 Cafeteria Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 5.55% |
| Food Preparation | 2.4% |
| Inventory Management | 1.39% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Foodservice
|
$93,271 |
9%
|
|
Commitment
|
$92,416 |
8%
|
|
Microsoft Office
|
$90,704 |
6%
|
|
Initiative
|
$89,849 |
5%
|
|
Coordination
|
$89,849 |
5%
|
|
Dedication
|
$88,993 |
4%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Cafeteria Managers enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Cafeteria Manager with a No Diploma is between $73,585 and $80,263).
Cafeteria Manager Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 2.5% |
| High School | 45.0% |
| Associates | 22.5% |
| Bachelors | 21.3% |
| Masters | 8.8% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how a Cafeteria Manager'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 April 01, 2026Salaries for a Cafeteria Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $65,243 in 2023 to around $63,490 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Cafeteria Manager salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $65,243 |
| 2024 | $64,179 |
| 2025 | $63,490 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Cafeteria Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Cafeteria Manager job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
A Cafeteria Manager's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Cafeteria Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Cafeteria Manager is $107,929.
The highest pay for Cafeteria Manager is $109,368.
The lowest pay for Cafeteria Manager is $65,273.
Manages an on site company cafeteria. Oversees operations including ordering, inventory, meal planning, food preparation, and service. Ensures operations are in compliance with all food safety and sanitation regulations. Manages and trains cafeteria staff. May require an associate degree or its equivalent. Typically reports to a head of a unit/department. Supervises a small group of para-professional staff in an organization characterized by highly transactional or repetitive processes. Contributes to the development of processes and procedures. Thorough knowledge of functional area under supervision. Typically requires 3 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
