As of May 18, 2021, the average hourly rate for a Kitchen Manager in the United States is $27, which translates to an annual salary of about $55,418.
However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:
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A Kitchen Manager'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Kitchen Manager'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Kitchen Manager | $52,610 |
| Intermediate Level Kitchen Manager | $52,943 |
| Senior Level Kitchen Manager | $55,387 |
| Specialist Level Kitchen Manager | $57,629 |
| Expert Level Kitchen Manager | $57,935 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Kitchen Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Commitment | 10.43% |
| Kitchen Operations | 1.7% |
| Food and Beverage Services | 1.15% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Motivating
|
$62,622 |
13%
|
|
Written Communication
|
$60,406 |
9%
|
|
Accountability
|
$59,297 |
7%
|
|
Product Quality
|
$59,297 |
7%
|
|
Purchasing
|
$58,743 |
6%
|
|
Organizational Skills
|
$58,743 |
6%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Kitchen Managers enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Kitchen Manager with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $56,492 and $61,157).
Kitchen Manager Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 3.2% |
| High School | 45.6% |
| Associates | 29.0% |
| Bachelors | 20.7% |
| Masters | 1.4% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how a Kitchen Manager'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 May 18, 2021Salaries for a Kitchen Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $44,010 in 2023 to around $43,954 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Kitchen Manager salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $44,010 |
| 2024 | $44,702 |
| 2025 | $43,954 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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Manages the daily operations of the kitchen, which may include but not limited to: accounting, finance, staff working schedule, inventory control and equipment supplies. Responsible for employees' training. Oversees other departments that contribute to the operations of the kitchen. Typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Typically reports to a head of a unit/department. Supervises a small group of para-professional staff in an organization characterized by highly transactional or repetitive processes. Contributes to the development of processes and procedures. Typically requires 3 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. Thorough knowledge of functional area under supervision.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Commitment: An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
Kitchen Operations: Refers to the overall management of a kitchen. This can include anything from organizing your staff to familiarizing yourself with all the time-saving equipment needed to store, prep, and cook food exceptionally well.
Food and Beverage Services: Food and Beverage Services can be broadly defined as the process of preparing, presenting and serving of food and beverages to the customers.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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