Kitchen Manager Salary in the United States
The average Kitchen Manager salary in the U.S. is $56,460 per year. Discover how to negotiate a higher salary to maximize your earning potential by reading through this guide.
Additionally, we’ll explore why this position is one of the highest-paying restaurant jobs and everything else you should know about Kitchen Manager salaries.
Before diving in, try our comparison tool below to see how your current or desired Kitchen Manager salary measures up against those in major U.S. cities.
What could I earn?
Find out how your salary compares to the average Kitchen Manager salary.Average Kitchen Manager Base Salary:
What can I earn as Kitchen Manager? Your salary is $0.00 on the US national average.How Much Do Kitchen Managers Make in the US?
As mentioned, the average base salary* for Kitchen Managers is $56,460 per year. This translates to approximately $4,705 per month or $1,085.60 per week.
Kitchen Managers usually receive a fixed salary rather than hourly wages, given that they hold a managerial position that involves overseeing kitchen operations and managing back-of-house staff.
However, your actual pay structure as a Kitchen Manager will depend on the establishment where you work. In most larger restaurants and hotels, salaried Kitchen Managers receive weekly or monthly pay, while some smaller or independent restaurants might offer hourly wages.
* Based on data calculated using our salary estimate methodology
Average Kitchen Manager Salary Per State or District
Kitchen Manager salaries can vary depending on the area you work in.
This graph is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the graph to see detailed data.Â
For example, the District of Columbia, Washington and Massachusetts pay the highest average Kitchen Manager salaries, while Arkansas, Florida and West Virginia are among the lowest-paying states.
Check Your Take-Home Pay in Every State as a Kitchen Manager
Use our Paycheck Calculator to know just how much you get at the end of the day, minus all local, state and federal taxes and other deductions. Input your salary, choose the state you work in and choose the pay frequency.
Paycheck Calculator
Disclaimer: Please note that this paycheck calculator is designed to provide an estimate and should not be considered as professional tax advice. The actual withholding amounts and taxes owed may vary depending on individual circumstances and other factors. For accurate and personalized tax advice, we recommend consulting with a tax professional.
If your gross pay is $51,000.00 per year in the state of New York, your net pay (or take home pay) will be $40,097.99 after tax deductions of 21.38% (or $10,902.01). Deductions include a total of [1] 8.55% (or $4,360.50) for the federal income tax, [2] 5.18% (or $2,640.01) for the state income tax, [3] 6.20% (or $3,162.00) for the social security tax and [4] 1.45% (or $739.50) for Medicare.
The Federal Income Tax is collected by the government and is consistent across all U.S. regions. In contrast, the State Income Tax is levied by the state of residence and work, leading to substantial variations. The Social Security Tax is used to fund Social Security, which benefits retirees, persons with disabilities and survivors of deceased workers. Medicare involves a federal payroll tax designated for the Medicare insurance program. As of 2022, Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming do not levy a state income tax.
Check out the table below to discover the average Kitchen Manager salary for each state. You can also sort the items from highest average salary to lowest or in alphabetical order.
| State | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $53,784 |
| Alaska | $57,693 |
| Arizona | $52,904 |
| Arkansas | $49,090 |
| California | $61,483 |
| Colorado | $58,542 |
| Connecticut | $58,652 |
| Delaware | $55,859 |
| Florida | $49,086 |
| Georgia | $52,422 |
| Hawaii | $59,114 |
| Idaho | $53,195 |
| Illinois | $56,859 |
| Indiana | $52,682 |
| Iowa | $52,476 |
| Kansas | $52,675 |
| Kentucky | $50,727 |
| Louisiana | $51,607 |
| Maine | $54,296 |
| Maryland | $58,944 |
| Massachusetts | $61,554 |
| Michigan | $52,479 |
| Minnesota | $58,034 |
| Mississippi | $50,537 |
| Missouri | $51,161 |
| Montana | $50,701 |
| Nebraska | $51,531 |
| Nevada | $54,548 |
| New Hampshire | $55,923 |
| New Jersey | $60,587 |
| New Mexico | $49,760 |
| New York | $61,445 |
| North Carolina | $53,058 |
| North Dakota | $54,405 |
| Ohio | $55,241 |
| Oklahoma | $51,368 |
| Oregon | $57,873 |
| Pennsylvania | $55,187 |
| Rhode Island | $58,254 |
| South Carolina | $52,827 |
| South Dakota | $50,986 |
| Tennessee | $54,500 |
| Texas | $54,822 |
| Utah | $52,067 |
| Vermont | $54,254 |
| Virginia | $54,969 |
| Washington | $61,989 |
| West Virginia | $48,298 |
| Wisconsin | $51,067 |
| Wyoming | $52,521 |
| District of Columbia | $63,772 |
Cities With High Average Kitchen Manager Salaries
Huge metropolitan cities usually have higher average Kitchen Manager salaries than other locations in the U.S.
For example, New York City is among the highest-paying cities, with an average salary of $66,760 per year, which is 18% higher than the nationwide average.
Miami
Annual mean wage
$56,380
# of employees
5,160
Projected growth
17,434
New York City
Annual mean wage
$66,760
# of employees
16,280
Projected growth
18,722
Chicago
Annual mean wage
$59,828
# of employees
7,870
Projected growth
9,050
Los Angeles
Annual mean wage
$64,634
# of employees
11,690
Projected growth
13,443
This graph is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the graph to see detailed data.Â
How To Negotiate a Higher Salary as a Kitchen Manager
Kitchen management is already considered one of the highest positions in the restaurant and hospitality scene. So, to increase your chances of securing the salary you deserve, check out the following salary negotiation steps.
1. Determine your worth as a Kitchen Manager
As mentioned above, states can have different average Kitchen Manager salaries. Whether you work in the capital, a small town, the state of Mississippi or the city of Chicago can affect your pay.
You can also check the average pay for this job title in your current company or the one that you’re applying for. If it’s a large establishment, check if they offer salaries higher than industry standards.
Most importantly, specify the number of people you’ve led, your specializations, high-volume kitchen experience and more. Put your achievements and other initiatives in writing.
If you understand your value and know how to back it up, you can be more prepared for salary negotiations.
2. Find the best timing
One of the best chances at negotiating a salary is just before you sign on with the employer. However, if you’d like to negotiate a higher salary with your current employer, then it’s best to request it during your next Kitchen Manager performance review or appraisal.
Of course, you’d also want to request this at a time when you have consistently performed up to your employer’s standards. You may also want to consider negotiating a higher salary when the financial status of your establishment is stable.
3. Sell your skills and experience
Let your employer know about your value as a Kitchen Manager. Make sure you practice beforehand and mention specific instances where you displayed your skills. Describe your talent for building a strong team and keeping a kitchen running smoothly.
4. Check for benefits other than your Kitchen Manager salary
Salary isn’t everything. To make sure you’re getting the best package in the long run, check the compensation package that a Kitchen Manager job offers on top of the base salary.
This includes job benefits like health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans and even performance bonuses.
Also, keep in mind that although shift differential is not required by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), many employers extend extra compensation for employees working on holidays, nights or weekends.
Since these are common working hours for Kitchen Managers, make sure you ask about the shift differential.
5. Get everything in writing
Remember to get the pay raise, benefits and your updated Kitchen Manager job description in writing before you completely end the negotiation.
You should do this to avoid any confusion and protect yourself and your employer.
Average Kitchen Manager Salary Compared to Other Managerial-Level Roles
Compare the Kitchen Manager role with other similar restaurant jobs and explore your options.
| Job Title | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| Restaurant Manager | $69,580 |
| Assistant Restaurant Manager | $50,775 |
| Executive Chef | $80,040 |
| Sous Chef | $56,013 |
Kitchen Manager Salary FAQs
Yes. Chefs in the U.S. earn an average salary of $62,640 per year, which is higher than the average Kitchen Manager’s salary.
Executive Chefs usually hold the highest position in the kitchen. They usually earn more than Kitchen Managers.
Kitchen Managers in Miami earn $56,380 per year on average.
Kitchen Managers do not usually receive tips. Tipped positions are usually for customer-facing, front-of-house staff like Servers, Hosts/Hostesses and Waiters/Waitresses.