Restaurant Manager Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$65,000
national median salary
$53,000 to $82,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $69,390 for Food Service Managers (SOC 11-9051) across the United States, based on 238,430 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$45,960
25th percentile
$56,870
Median
$69,390
75th percentile
$86,800
90th percentile
$107,640
Workers surveyed
238,430
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$65,310
May 2025 release
$69,390
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Food Service Managers (SOC 11-9051) rather than Restaurant Managerspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 11-9051Highest Paying
$86,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$68,000
Nashville, TN
Lowest Paying
$51,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 11-9051. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Restaurant Manager salary in the United States at $65,000 in 2026, within a range of $53,000 to $82,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Jose is the highest of the 81 cities at $86,000, while Nashville offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Restaurant category and revenue volume are the strongest pay factors.
Restaurant Manager salary by city.
Skills that increase Restaurant Manager pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Restaurant Managers based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $9,100 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$9,100 per year
≈ +$8,450 per year
≈ +$7,800 per year
≈ +$7,150 per year
≈ +$7,150 per year
≈ +$6,500 per year
≈ +$6,500 per year
≈ +$5,850 per year
What you should know.
Restaurant category and revenue volume are the strongest pay factors. Fine-dining and high-volume establishments pay substantially more than casual or fast-casual concepts. Multi-unit managers overseeing several locations earn premiums, and urban markets with higher costs of living offer elevated base salaries.
Assistant managers start at $36,000 to $42,000. General managers of single locations earn $50,000 to $65,000. Multi-unit or area managers overseeing three to five locations make $70,000 to $90,000. Regional directors of operations for large groups reach $95,000 to $130,000.
Bonus structures tied to revenue targets, food cost control, and guest satisfaction scores typically add 10 to 20% above base. Benefits often include meal allowances, health insurance, and for corporate chains, stock purchase plans.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Restaurant Managers typically earn $59,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Restaurant Manager pay.
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