Food Service Managers vs Software Developers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Software Developers professionals earn $67,770 more per year than Food Service Managers professionals — that's 103.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Food Service Managers earns $105,420 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Food Service Managers$42,380 – $105,420
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$42,380$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Food Service Managers | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $42,380 | $79,850 | $-37,470 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,090 | $103,050 | $-49,960 |
| Median (50th) | $65,310 | $133,080 | $-67,770 |
| 75th Percentile | $82,300 | $169,000 | $-86,700 |
| 90th Percentile | $105,420 | $211,450 | $-106,030 |
| Mean (Average) | $72,370 | $144,570 | $-72,200 |
Employment Numbers
Food Service Managers
244,230
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
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 Software Developers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,270 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $174,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $169,340 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $161,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $159,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Food Service Managers or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $67,770 (103.8% 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 Software Developers?
Software Developers salaries range from $79,850 (10th percentile) to $211,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $133,080.
How many Food Service Managers and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 244,230 Food Service Managers positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Food Service Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Food Service Managers has a median salary of $65,310 while Software Developers earns $133,080. 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