Assistant Restaurant Manager Salary in the United States
See how Assistant Restaurant Manager salaries compare across the U.S. and learn what influences earning potential.
How Much Does an Assistant Restaurant Manager Make in the United States?
The average salary for an Assistant Restaurant Manager in the United States is $46,038 per year or $3,837 per month.
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What Is the Hourly Wage for Assistant Restaurant Managers?
An Assistant Restaurant Manager in the U.S. earns $22 per hour on average.
Most Assistant Restaurant Managers are salaried employees. They are paid annual salaries, unlike more junior-level hospitality positions that earn hourly wages.
The role of an Assistant Restaurant Manager is considered managerial or supervisory under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), meaning they're not allowed to keep any portion of employees' tips — whether directly or through a tip pool.
Assistant Restaurant Managers may only keep tips they directly received from a customer for a service they directly and solely provided.
However, some states have laws permitting Assistant Restaurant Managers to participate in tip pools if they're paid hourly.
What Is the Weekly Wage for Assistant Restaurant Managers?
The average weekly pay for an Assistant Restaurant Manager in the United States is $885.
Assistant Restaurant Manager Salary Across the US
Montana has the highest Assistant Restaurant Manager salary at $53,639. New York is close behind at $53,536.
West Virginia offers the lowest annual salary at $38,882. Arkansas is the second lowest with an average of $39,552.
The table below lists salaries in all states and Washington, D.C.
| State | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $42,732 |
| Alaska | $48,619 |
| Arizona | $44,710 |
| Arkansas | $39,552 |
| California | $52,476 |
| Colorado | $49,637 |
| Connecticut | $52,668 |
| Delaware | $44,794 |
| Florida | $41,317 |
| Georgia | $46,770 |
| Hawaii | $50,890 |
| Idaho | $47,816 |
| Illinois | $46,172 |
| Indiana | $42,974 |
| Iowa | $44,680 |
| Kansas | $46,323 |
| Kentucky | $40,151 |
| Louisiana | $41,355 |
| Maine | $46,632 |
| Maryland | $45,112 |
| Massachusetts | $51,418 |
| Michigan | $43,360 |
| Minnesota | $47,394 |
| Mississippi | $43,312 |
| Missouri | $45,551 |
| Montana | $53,639 |
| Nebraska | $46,145 |
| Nevada | $47,686 |
| New Hampshire | $46,762 |
| New Jersey | $48,544 |
| New Mexico | $44,426 |
| New York | $53,536 |
| North Carolina | $45,518 |
| North Dakota | $49,599 |
| Ohio | $43,711 |
| Oklahoma | $44,385 |
| Oregon | $48,827 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,046 |
| Rhode Island | $52,290 |
| South Carolina | $43,133 |
| South Dakota | $47,567 |
| Tennessee | $43,420 |
| Texas | $43,955 |
| Utah | $46,722 |
| Vermont | $47,997 |
| Virginia | $44,038 |
| Washington | $52,423 |
| West Virginia | $38,882 |
| Wisconsin | $44,195 |
| Wyoming | $45,822 |
How Does the Salary of Assistant Restaurant Managers Vary?
Various factors can influence how much you can earn as an Assistant Restaurant Manager.
Some of these factors are external and you can't affect them. Other factors that you can affect include certifications and experience.
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Years of experience
The most valuable thing you can have as an Assistant Restaurant Manager is experience. You can negotiate a higher salary if you have a proven track record of exemplary leadership and managerial experience.
Employers seek Assistant Restaurant Managers who are organized but can work well under pressure. They want someone who can lead by example and can hold themselves and everyone working underneath them to the same high standard.
Type of establishment
Assistant Restaurant Managers working in high-end establishments such as fine dining restaurants or large restaurant chains may earn higher wages than those working in smaller or casual dining venues.
The higher wages can be attributed to the greater responsibilities and expectations from Assistant Restaurant Managers working in these larger and typically busier establishments.
Location
Living costs vary from state to state and so do Assistant Restaurant Manager wages.
Arkansas and West Virginia are two states with low costs of living and are among the top 10 states that offer the lowest average salaries.
Hawaii and Montana stand out for higher Assistant Restaurant Manager salaries, likely driven by tourism, labor demand and regional wage levels.
Certifications and courses
Although you don't need any extra certifications to get an Assistant Restaurant Manager job, they would certainly help.
Anything that can make you stand out over the dozens, if not hundreds, of other applicants is always a bonus. Some establishments or local regulations may require certification in food safety or alcohol service, but that depends entirely on each individual case.
Negotiation skills
Assistant Restaurant Managers who are skilled negotiators and advocates for their own worth may be able to secure higher salaries during the hiring process or performance reviews.
Assistant Restaurant Manager Perks and Benefits
A competitive salary is just one component of an Assistant Restaurant Manager's compensation. Benefits and perks can often be just as enticing. Assistant Restaurant Managers get full health insurance and 401(k) plans.
Certain establishments may also offer incentives such as shares in the company or performance-related bonuses.
According to Gallup, these are the benefits employees change jobs for:
[Source: Gallup]
How To Negotiate for a Higher Salary as an Assistant Restaurant Manager?
If you are unsure of what to say when the topic of pay comes up, watch this quick video breaking down the exact line to use to negotiate a better salary.
Having a scripted phrase ready makes it much easier to confidently pivot the conversation toward your professional value.
From there, point out what you bring to the table in your Assistant Restaurant Manager Interview. Employers want to know what you can do for them if they hire you.
If you're extremely organized and keep a tight schedule on everything, mention that. If you have excellent soft skills and know how to manage the people working within the restaurant, lead with that.
Above all else, you have to be confident when negotiating for a higher salary. If you're not confident enough to ask for what you think you're worth, how are you going to be confident enough to lead a restaurant?
Reflecting on your career goals can also help refine your strategy and communicate your value clearly during these discussions. To gain a better understanding of how to set these goals, check out our article on Assistant Restaurant Manager Goals and Objectives.
Keep in mind that you should still be reasonable and manage your expectations when negotiating salaries. Don't ask for anything unrealistic given your geographic location, experience and skills.
Labor Laws and Taxes for Assistant Restaurant Managers
As an Assistant Restaurant Manager, you need to be aware of the minimum wage, overtime pay, leave and tipping policies in your state.
Check out the guides below or view more labor laws:
Estimating Your Take-Home Pay
If you’re an Assistant Restaurant Manager working in the U.S., our Paycheck Calculator will allow you to calculate your take-home pay easily.