As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. in the United States is $37, which translates to an annual salary of about $77,782.
However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:
Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $88,350 | $7,363 | $1,699 | $42 |
| Average | $77,782 | $6,482 | $1,496 | $37 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,129 | $5,344 | $1,233 | $31 |
A Food Services Manager - Higher Ed.'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 Food Services Manager - Higher Ed.'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 Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. | $72,688 |
| Intermediate Level Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. | $73,299 |
| Senior Level Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. | $74,725 |
| Specialist Level Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. | $78,571 |
| Expert Level Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. | $81,725 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Customer Service | 9.81% |
| Food Preparation | 2.41% |
| Product Quality | 1.3% |
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Food Services Manager - Higher Ed.'s salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Product Quality | $89,449 | |
| Interpersonal Communication | $85,560 | |
| Infection Control | $85,560 |
Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $80,271. While startup companies pay approximate $68,590.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $68,590 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $72,367 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $77,708 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $80,271 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. with a Bachelor's Degree is between $79,704 and $88,042.
| Typical Education for Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
| No Diploma | 1.8% |
| High School | 21.3% |
| Associates | 18.9% |
| Bachelors | 36.7% |
| Masters | 15.4% |
| Doctorate | 5.9% |
Understanding how a Food Services Manager - Higher Ed.'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $88,350 | $7,363 | $1,699 | $42 |
| Average | $77,782 | $6,482 | $1,496 | $37 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,129 | $5,344 | $1,233 | $31 |
Salaries for a Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $66,927 in 2023 to around $67,103 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $66,927 |
| 2024 | $67,556 |
| 2025 | $67,103 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Oversees the daily operations of the institution's food service function. Implements and maintains food service policies in dining halls. Monitors inventory levels and purchases food, kitchen equipment, and other supplies as needed. Establishes quality standards for foods and maintains cleanliness of the facilities in accordance with state or local regulations. May require a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1-3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Customer Service: Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
Food Preparation: The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to food preparation: Food preparation – art form and applied science that includes but is not limited to cooking.
Product Quality: Product quality refers to how well a product satisfies customer needs, serves its purpose and meets industry standards. When evaluating product quality, businesses consider several key factors, including whether a product solves a problem, works efficiently or suits customers' purposes.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers: