How much does a Restaurant Manager make?

The average salary for a Restaurant Manager is $58,744 per year in United States. Salaries estimates are based on 12563 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Restaurant Manager employees in United States.

The highest salary for a Restaurant Manager in United States is $74,089 per year.

The lowest salary for a Restaurant Manager in United States is $46,782 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming a Restaurant Manager or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of a Restaurant Manager.

Pay for restaurant managers is similar to pay for head chefs, lodging managers and sales managers. Pay is expected to rise slightly as demand grows. Restaurant managers who work for upscale or luxury establishments and those with expensive experience generally command the highest pay. Successful restaurant managers may choose to open their own restaurant or to move into other hospitality management positions at the executive level.

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When it comes to salary satisfaction, approximately 66% of restaurant managers consider themselves satisfied with what they earn. A bachelor's degree, years of experience, and an industry specialty can help restaurant managers increase their pay maximum.

If you decide to follow the average restaurant manager's career path, you can make a salary that ranges between $38,128.07 and $91,078.68. The average restaurant manager salary is $54,215.90. Individual salaries can change based on location, industry, employer, education, experience, and skill set. With years of experience under your belt, you can become a senior restaurant manager.

While not every industry or employer requires advanced education, earning your bachelor's degree (or higher) in a field such as business, hospitality management, or culinary arts will score you a higher salary as a restaurant manager. Having an educational credential proves your commitment to the job and shows that you know your stuff. Experience is a valuable asset, so advance in your career and continue progressing in seniority; each seniority level requires at least two years of experience on average, but you can work your way up to a senior restaurant manager or general manager position. Choose a specialty, such as fine dining or hotel dining, and hone in-demand skills.

The first step toward restaurant manager jobs with good salaries is researching the annual earnings of others in your area with this role. Get a more accurate picture of what you're worth by comparing yourself to professionals with similar experience, education, and skill levels. Next, factor benefits into your compensation package. While you can bargain for a salary increase within 10 to 15% of your initial offer and during annual re-evaluations, consider how benefits such as PTO, vacation time, health benefits, 401(k) matching, and tuition reimbursement can impact your annual pay. Many employers will happily meet you in the middle if you're a valuable asset.