Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics vs Food Service Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Food Service Managers professionals earn $15,640 more per year than Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics professionals — that's 31.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics earns $80,850 compared to $105,420 for Food Service Managers.
Salary Range Comparison
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$33,660 – $80,850
Food Service Managers$42,380 – $105,420
$33,660$105,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | Food Service Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $33,660 | $42,380 | $-8,720 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,140 | $53,090 | $-14,950 |
| Median (50th) | $49,670 | $65,310 | $-15,640 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,660 | $82,300 | $-16,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $80,850 | $105,420 | $-24,570 |
| Mean (Average) | $55,260 | $72,370 | $-17,110 |
Employment Numbers
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
688,840
employed nationwide
Food Service Managers
244,230
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $77,260 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $74,590 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $64,930 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $63,590 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $62,970 |
Best Cities for Food Service Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $95,540 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $86,840 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $84,180 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $82,570 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $82,400 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics or Food Service Managers?
Food Service Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $15,640 (31.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics?
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salaries range from $33,660 (10th percentile) to $80,850 (90th percentile), with a median of $49,670.
What is the salary range for Food Service Managers?
Food Service Managers salaries range from $42,380 (10th percentile) to $105,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $65,310.
How many Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics and Food Service Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 688,840 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics positions and 244,230 Food Service Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Food Service Managers to Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics has a median salary of $49,670 while Food Service Managers earns $65,310. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS