Construction Managers vs Food Service Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Construction Managers professionals earn $41,670 more per year than Food Service Managers professionals — that's 63.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Construction Managers earns $176,990 compared to $105,420 for Food Service Managers.
Salary Range Comparison
Construction Managers$65,160 – $176,990
Food Service Managers$42,380 – $105,420
$42,380$176,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Construction Managers | Food Service Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,160 | $42,380 | +$22,780 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,480 | $53,090 | +$30,390 |
| Median (50th) | $106,980 | $65,310 | +$41,670 |
| 75th Percentile | $139,330 | $82,300 | +$57,030 |
| 90th Percentile | $176,990 | $105,420 | +$71,570 |
| Mean (Average) | $119,660 | $72,370 | +$47,290 |
Employment Numbers
Construction Managers
348,330
employed nationwide
Food Service Managers
244,230
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Construction Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $151,980 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $138,000 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $136,970 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $128,730 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $128,190 |
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: Construction Managers or Food Service Managers?
Construction Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $41,670 (63.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Construction Managers?
Construction Managers salaries range from $65,160 (10th percentile) to $176,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $106,980.
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 Construction Managers and Food Service Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 348,330 Construction Managers positions and 244,230 Food Service Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Food Service Managers to Construction Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Construction Managers has a median salary of $106,980 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