Food Service Managers vs Retail Salespersons: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Food Service Managers professionals earn $30,730 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 88.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Food Service Managers earns $105,420 compared to $47,930 for Retail Salespersons.
Salary Range Comparison
Food Service Managers$42,380 – $105,420
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
$25,600$105,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Food Service Managers | Retail Salespersons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $42,380 | $25,600 | +$16,780 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,090 | $29,140 | +$23,950 |
| Median (50th) | $65,310 | $34,580 | +$30,730 |
| 75th Percentile | $82,300 | $37,850 | +$44,450 |
| 90th Percentile | $105,420 | $47,930 | +$57,490 |
| Mean (Average) | $72,370 | $37,150 | +$35,220 |
Employment Numbers
Food Service Managers
244,230
employed nationwide
Retail Salespersons
3,800,250
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Retail Salespersons
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $42,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $39,180 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $37,500 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $37,350 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Food Service Managers or Retail Salespersons?
Food Service Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $30,730 (88.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $47,930 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,580.
How many Food Service Managers and Retail Salespersons jobs are there?
There are approximately 244,230 Food Service Managers positions and 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Retail Salespersons to Food Service Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Food Service Managers has a median salary of $65,310 while Retail Salespersons earns $34,580. 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