Carpenters 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 $6,000 more per year than Carpenters professionals — that's 10.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Carpenters earns $98,370 compared to $105,420 for Food Service Managers.
Salary Range Comparison
Carpenters$38,760 – $98,370
Food Service Managers$42,380 – $105,420
$38,760$105,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Carpenters | Food Service Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,760 | $42,380 | $-3,620 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,550 | $53,090 | $-5,540 |
| Median (50th) | $59,310 | $65,310 | $-6,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,620 | $82,300 | $-6,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,370 | $105,420 | $-7,050 |
| Mean (Average) | $64,040 | $72,370 | $-8,330 |
Employment Numbers
Carpenters
697,740
employed nationwide
Food Service Managers
244,230
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Carpenters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $80,950 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $78,090 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $77,100 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $76,760 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $76,510 |
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: Carpenters or Food Service Managers?
Food Service Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $6,000 (10.1% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Carpenters?
Carpenters salaries range from $38,760 (10th percentile) to $98,370 (90th percentile), with a median of $59,310.
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 Carpenters and Food Service Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 697,740 Carpenters positions and 244,230 Food Service Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Food Service Managers to Carpenters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Carpenters has a median salary of $59,310 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