Food Service Manager salary in District of Columbia
Food Service Managers in District of Columbia earn a median of $81,680 a year ($39.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,000 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,630 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $69,390. District of Columbia ranks 7th of 51 states for food service managers pay. There are 1.4 food service managers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $95,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food service managers in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,000 | $35.58 |
| 25th percentile | $74,250 | $35.70 |
| Median | $81,680 | $39.27 |
| 75th percentile | $105,760 | $50.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,630 | $64.73 |
| Average (mean) | $95,280 | $45.81 |
Half of food service managers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,806.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,403.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,141.54 |
| Weekly | $1,570.77 |
| Hourly | $39.27 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $81,680 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Food Service Manager salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $79,290 | 3,300 |
Highest-paying states for food service managers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $95,190 |
| Massachusetts | $92,240 |
| Hawaii | $87,800 |
| New York | $84,200 |
| Rhode Island | $82,850 |
| Alaska | $82,030 |
| District of Columbia | $81,680 |
| Colorado | $79,870 |
| Minnesota | $79,820 |
| California | $78,260 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other | $175,720 | $84.48 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $94,080 | $45.23 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $155,140 | $74.59 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $137,470 | — |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $107,390 | $51.63 |
| Natural Sciences Manager | $156,730 | $75.35 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $185,220 | $89.05 |
| Construction Manager | $126,430 | $60.78 |
| Education Administrators, All Other | $140,670 | $67.63 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $106,700 | $51.30 |
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | $77,850 | $37.43 |
| Lodging Manager | $75,610 | $36.35 |
| Emergency Management Director | $184,350 | $88.63 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $113,930 | $54.77 |
More: Management Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 11-9051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food service manager make in District of Columbia?
The median salary for food service managers in District of Columbia is $81,680 a year, or $39.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food service managers make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of food service managers in District of Columbia earn at least $134,630 a year. The top 25% earn $105,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for food service managers in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,000 a year, and a quarter of food service managers earn $74,250 or less.
How many food service managers work in District of Columbia?
About 1,000 food service managers are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.