Food Service Managers Salary
Food Service Managers in Washington make a median of $95,190 a year, or about $45.77 an hour. The range runs from $68K at the entry level to $138K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $93,314 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 28.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $95K get you in Washington?
About food service managers
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for food service managers, local pay runs about 37% higher than the U.S. median of $69K. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29.1% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level food service managers (10th percentile) start around $68K. Mid-career wages sit at $95K. Top earners bring in $138K or more, a $70K spread from bottom to top.
Food Service Managers salary by metro in Washington
6 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $99K | +4% | 760 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $95K | -0% | 30 |
| Bellingham | $94K | -2% | 30 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $87K | -9% | 40 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $83K | -12% | 90 |
| Yakima | $77K | -19% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track food service managers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a food service manager afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $95K, rent takes 29.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for food service managers in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new food service managers typically earn — is $68K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,094/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 45% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is food service manager a high-paying job in Washington?
Local pay is 37% above the national median — $95K here vs. $69K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for food service managers?
Washington pays $95K median vs. the U.S. average of $69K — that’s +37%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $93K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do food service managers make in Washington?
The median is $95,190 a year, that works out to about $46 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $68,240, and experienced food service managers can clear $138,210. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $95K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,279/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 29.1% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a food service managers salary go in Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median food service managers salary is worth about $93,314 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do food service managers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.