Restaurant Manager Salary in the US in 2025
How Much Does a Restaurant Manager Make?- Restaurant Manager Salary by State: Highest and Lowest Paying States in 2025
- Restaurant Manager Salary in Major US Cities
- Key Factors That Influence Restaurant Manager Compensation in the U.S.
- How To Estimate Your Take-Home Pay as a Restaurant Manager
- Salary Negotiation Tips for Restaurant Managers: How To Maximize Your Earnings
- Beyond Pay: Perks & Benefits for Restaurant Managers
- How Much Do Similar Careers to a Restaurant Manager Get Paid?
- Restaurant Manager Salary Data Methodology
How Much Does a Restaurant Manager Make?
The average Restaurant Manager salary in the United States is $69,580 per year. Learn how to negotiate a higher salary and more using essential info from this guide.
But first, explore our comparison tool below. It lets you see how your current or desired Restaurant Manager salary measures up against salaries in top U.S. cities.
It’s worth noting that, while some Restaurant Managers earn only $42,990 a year (10th percentile), others earn as much as $101,240 a year (90th percentile).
[Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics]
If you find yourself in the 90th percentile, it means you earn more than 90% of all the Restaurant Managers in the U.S. Conversely, being in the 10th percentile suggests that your earnings fall below those of 90% of your peers.
Restaurant Manager Salary by Year
The chart below shows the growth of Restaurant Manager salaries from 2019 to 2023.
[Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics]
How Much Does a Restaurant Manager Make Hourly?
The average hourly wage for Restaurant Managers in the U.S. is $33.45.
How Much Does a Restaurant Manager Make Weekly?
The average weekly pay for Restaurant Managers in the U.S. is about $1,338.
How Much Does a Restaurant Manager Make Per Month?
The average monthly salary for Restaurant Managers in the U.S. is around $5,798.
Restaurant Manager Salary by State: Highest and Lowest Paying States in 2025
Restaurant Managers in Washington ($87,340), New Jersey ($85,800) and New York ($84,500) earn the highest average salaries. Meanwhile, those in Tennessee ($57,770), Mississippi ($56,470) and West Virginia ($51,880) earn the lowest.
Restaurant Manager Salary in Major US Cities
Out of the four major cities listed below, New York City pays Restaurant Managers the highest average salaries ($90,180), followed by Miami, Los Angeles and Chicago.
[Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics]
Key Factors That Influence Restaurant Manager Compensation in the U.S.
Beyond just the location, there are several other factors that affect the average pay for Restaurant Managers in the U.S. These include:
Experience
Restaurant Managers with more experience and a proven track record of success will often earn higher salaries than those who are newer to the role.
This is because experienced Restaurant Managers already know how to manage a restaurant efficiently and have well-developed leadership and problem-solving skills.
Thanks to their experience, experienced Restaurant Managers can better train junior staff and contribute to a more effective team. All these lead to the greater overall success of an establishment and justify a Restaurant Manager's higher compensation.
Education and training
Restaurant Manager candidates with a college degree in culinary arts or hospitality management can increase their earning potential significantly.
Some employers may also give an advantage to candidates having certifications such as ServSafe Manager certification or the Certified Restaurant Manager (CRM) credential.
Restaurant type
Upscale, fine-dining establishments typically pay their Managers more than casual-dining restaurants or fast-food chains.
This is because they require more specialized skills and expertise and often have higher revenue and profit margins Clientele who dines at upscale establishments is also more affluent and expects exceptional service.
Restaurant size and volume
Restaurant Managers who are in charge of bigger restaurants with a higher sales volume earn more than those managing smaller, lower-volume establishments.
Running a larger restaurant comes with more responsibilities such as managing a larger team, dealing with more complex operational matters and ensuring the satisfaction of a larger number of guests.
Higher sales volumes also often lead to increased revenue and profits, resulting in more competitive salaries for Restaurant Managers.
How To Estimate Your Take-Home Pay as a Restaurant Manager
If you are employed as a Restaurant Manager in the United States, use our Paycheck Calculator to know the amount of money you'll have left after taxes in your state.
Salary Negotiation Tips for Restaurant Managers: How To Maximize Your Earnings
It goes without saying that the salary negotiating process is pretty stressful. Still, it's an essential part of the job search process. Here are some tips to help you prepare for negotiating your salary as a Restaurant Manager:
- Know your worth: Prior to negotiations, you need to research the salary rates for Restaurant Manager positions in your area. It is also important to check how these salaries differ based on the type of establishment.
- Highlight relevant skills and experience: Briefly describe your prior experience as a Restaurant Manager and mention relevant skills, such as leadership, problem-solving and budgeting. If you possess any certifications that might be advantageous, don't forget to mention them as well.
- Consider other benefits: Besides just money, consider discussing other benefits such as vacation and sick days, parental leave, life insurance, healthcare coverage, retirement funds and meal discounts. These perks can significantly raise the value of your overall compensation package and are often negotiable.
- Be professional and project confidence: Clearly articulate your value to the prospective employer and explain in a professional manner why you deserve a higher salary. Confidence in your abilities and what you bring to the table can significantly influence the outcome of salary negotiations.
Beyond Pay: Perks & Benefits for Restaurant Managers
As we've mentioned in the previous section, Restaurant Managers also enjoy several perks and benefits. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Free meals during shifts
- Paid time off
- Medical, vision and dental insurance
- Parental leave
- 401(k) and 401(k) matching
- Life and disability insurance
- Employee assistance programs
- Commuter benefits
- Opportunities for advancement
How Much Do Similar Careers to a Restaurant Manager Get Paid?
Restaurant Managers earn more than Kitchen Managers and Assistant Restaurant Managers but less than Restaurant Consultants and Hotel Managers.
Restaurant Manager Salary Data Methodology
OysterLink prioritizes transparency in salary information. We take data from the government's official job info source — BLS — and combine it with estimates from established online job boards to deliver the most current insights. Learn more about our methodology.