Architectural and Engineering Managers vs Food Service Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Architectural and Engineering Managers professionals earn $102,430 more per year than Food Service Managers professionals — that's 156.8% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Architectural and Engineering Managers$111,450 – N/A
Food Service Managers$42,380 – $105,420
$42,380$111,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Architectural and Engineering Managers | Food Service Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $111,450 | $42,380 | +$69,070 |
| 25th Percentile | $134,930 | $53,090 | +$81,840 |
| Median (50th) | $167,740 | $65,310 | +$102,430 |
| 75th Percentile | $207,210 | $82,300 | +$124,910 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $105,420 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $175,710 | $72,370 | +$103,340 |
Employment Numbers
Architectural and Engineering Managers
210,340
employed nationwide
Food Service Managers
244,230
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Architectural and Engineering Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $226,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $208,580 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $189,270 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $185,550 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $183,640 |
Best Cities for Food Service Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $95,540 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $86,840 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $84,180 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $82,570 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $82,400 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Architectural and Engineering Managers or Food Service Managers?
Architectural and Engineering Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $102,430 (156.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Architectural and Engineering Managers?
Architectural and Engineering Managers salaries range from $111,450 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $167,740.
What is the salary range for Food Service Managers?
Food Service Managers salaries range from $42,380 (10th percentile) to $105,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $65,310.
How many Architectural and Engineering Managers and Food Service Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 210,340 Architectural and Engineering Managers positions and 244,230 Food Service Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Food Service Managers to Architectural and Engineering Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Architectural and Engineering Managers has a median salary of $167,740 while Food Service Managers earns $65,310. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS