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Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. Salary in the United States

How much does a Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. in the United States is $77,790 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.

However, a Food Services Manager - Higher Ed.'s salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $97,976
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $64,136 to $88,356
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $51,705
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. Salaries

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.

How Experience Level Affects Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. Salaries?

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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $72,695
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $73,307
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $74,733
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $78,579
  • Expert (over 8 years): $81,733
Levels Salary
Entry Level Food Services Manager - Higher Ed.$72,695
Intermediate Level Food Services Manager - Higher Ed.$73,307
Senior Level Food Services Manager - Higher Ed.$74,733
Specialist Level Food Services Manager - Higher Ed.$78,579
Expert Level Food Services Manager - Higher Ed.$81,733
View as Graph

How Do Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Food Services Manager - Higher Ed.s. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $86,129.
  • California: $85,802.
  • Massachusetts: $84,659.

Top Paying Cities for Food Services Manager - Higher Ed.s

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $98,117
  • San Francisco: $97,042
  • Oakland: $94,997

What Skills Can Increase a Food Services Manager - Higher Ed.'s Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 9.81% Job Postings): 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 (Mentioned in 2.41% Job Postings): 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 (Mentioned in 1.3% Job Postings): 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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 9.81%
Food Preparation 2.41%
Product Quality 1.3%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

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.

  • Product Quality: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Interpersonal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Infection Control: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Product Quality $89,459
15%
Interpersonal Communication $85,569
10%
Infection Control $85,569
10%
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Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

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 $80,311. While startup companies pay approximate $68,582.

Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $68,582
Growth Stage 51~500 $72,375
Established 501~5000 $77,730
Enterprise 5000+ $80,311

Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Government, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. positions in Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Food Services Manager - Higher Ed.

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Government$85,569$41.010%

How Education impacts a Food Services Manager - Higher Ed.'s Salary?

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.

Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. Salaries by Degree Level

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%
View as Graph

Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$64,136
Average $77,790/year
$88,356
$5,345
Average $6,483/month
$7,363
$1,233
Average $1,496/week
$1,699
$31
Average $37/hour
$42
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $88,356 $7,363 $1,699 $42
Average $77,790 $6,483 $1,496 $37
25th Percentile $64,136 $5,345 $1,233 $31

Most common benefits for Food Services Manager - Higher Ed.

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Food Services Manager - Higher Ed.

Here are companies hiring for Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Food Services Manager - Higher Ed.

1. Where can a Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. earn the most?

A Food Services Manager - Higher Ed.'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 Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. is $98,117.

2. What is the highest pay for Food Services Manager - Higher Ed.?

The highest pay for Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. is $97,976.

3. What is the lowest pay for Food Services Manager - Higher Ed.?

The lowest pay for Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. is $51,705.

4. What are the responsibilities of Food Services Manager - Higher Ed.?

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.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Food Services Manager - Higher Ed.?

The Government industry offers the highest average compensation for Food Services Manager - Higher Ed. roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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.

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