Discover why the Kitchen Manager position is one of the highest-paying restaurant jobs, what you should know about Kitchen manager salaries and tips for earning more in kitchen management.
How Much Do Kitchen Managers Earn in the US?
The average Kitchen Manager salary in the U.S. is $56,460 per year or $4,705 per month, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
As a guide, here’s a breakdown of the earnings of Kitchen Managers by hour, week and month.
| Breakdown | Salary |
|---|---|
| Annual | $56,460 |
| Monthly | $4,705 |
| Weekly | $1,806 |
| Hourly | $27.14 |
[Source: Indeed, Salary.com and ZipRecruiter]
This graph is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the graph to see detailed data.
Kitchen Managers can be categorized as Food Service Managers, and depending on their credentials, they can earn from $42,990 per year to as high as $101,240 per year.
[Source: BLS]
This graph is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the graph to see detailed data.
You tend to earn more as a Kitchen Manager when you have more experience or you work for a large-volume kitchen. Those with lower salaries are usually first-time Kitchen Managers or those who work for smaller establishments.
Average Kitchen Manager Salary Per State or District
Kitchen Manager salaries can vary depending on the area you work in.
[Source: Indeed, Salary.com and ZipRecruiter]
This graph is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the graph to see detailed data.
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.
Total Tax
Net pay
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.
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.
Annual mean wage
$56,380
# of employees
5,160
Projected growth
17,434
Annual mean wage
$66,760
# of employees
16,280
Projected growth
18,722
Annual mean wage
$59,828
# of employees
7,870
Projected growth
9,050
Annual mean wage
$64,634
# of employees
11,690
Projected growth
13,443
[Source: Indeed, Salary.com and ZipRecruiter]
This graph is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the graph to see detailed data.
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 | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Restaurant Manager | |
| Assistant Restaurant Manager | |
| Executive Chef | |
| Sous Chef |
Kitchen Manager Salary FAQs
See quick answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding Kitchen Manager salaries.
Yes. Chefs in the U.S. earn an average salary of $62,640 per year, which is higher than the average Kitchen Manager salary.
Also, an Executive Chef usually holds 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.
