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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Food Service Director in California is $123,001 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $59.
However, a Food Service Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Food Service Director Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $142,044 | $11,837 | $2,732 | $68 |
| Average | $123,001 | $10,250 | $2,365 | $59 |
| 25th Percentile | $113,373 | $9,448 | $2,180 | $55 |
ARAMARK - Financial District, CA
Aramark - Dublin, CA
San Leandro Senior Living - San Leandro, CA
Claiborne County Schools - Anaheim, CA
A Food Service 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.
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 Service Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Food Service 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, Food Service Director positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Food Service Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospitality & Leisure | $159,901 | $77.0 | 30% |
| Retail & Wholesale | $135,301 | $65.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Food Service 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $142,044 | $11,837 | $2,732 | $68 |
| Average | $123,001 | $10,250 | $2,365 | $59 |
| 25th Percentile | $113,373 | $9,448 | $2,180 | $55 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Food Service Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
SSA Attractions Group
Sacramento, CA
SSA Attractions Group | Sacramento, CA
SSA Attractions Group - 3930 West Land Park Drive - Responsibilities: Support restaurant prep (back of house and line) for daily operation. Maintain a clea... more
5 Days Ago
SSA Attractions Group
San Diego, CA
SSA Attractions Group | San Diego, CA
SSA Attractions Group - 910 North Harbor Drive - Responsibilities: Supports restaurant prep (BOH and line) for daily operation. Meets daily quickservice, f... more
5 Days Ago
SSA Group, LLC
San Diego, CA
SSA Group, LLC | San Diego, CA
Food Service Cook. For more than 50 years, SSA has partnered with cultural attractions to design the hospitality experience journey, freeing our partners t... more
7 Days Ago
SSA Group, LLC
Sacramento, CA
SSA Group, LLC | Sacramento, CA
Food Service Cook at the Sacramento Zoo. Position Title: Food Service Cook. Reports to: Kitchen Manager(s), Sous Chef(s) and Executive Chef. Responsibiliti... more
8 Days Ago
SSA Attractions Group
Fresno, CA
SSA Attractions Group | Fresno, CA
SSA Attractions Group - 894 West Belmont Avenue - Responsibilities: Lead daily kitchen prep and line operations to support daily service. Maintain knowledg... more
5 Days Ago
SSA Group, LLC
San Francisco, CA
SSA Group, LLC | San Francisco, CA
Prep Cook. Reports to: Kitchen Manager(s), Sous Chef(s) and Executive Chef. For more than 50 years, SSA has partnered with cultural attractions to design t... more
5 Days Ago
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