Data Scientists vs Food Service Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Data Scientists professionals earn $47,280 more per year than Food Service Managers professionals — that's 72.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Data Scientists earns $194,410 compared to $105,420 for Food Service Managers.
Salary Range Comparison
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
Food Service Managers$42,380 – $105,420
$42,380$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Data Scientists | Food Service Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,650 | $42,380 | +$21,270 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,630 | $53,090 | +$29,540 |
| Median (50th) | $112,590 | $65,310 | +$47,280 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,810 | $82,300 | +$73,510 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,410 | $105,420 | +$88,990 |
| Mean (Average) | $124,590 | $72,370 | +$52,220 |
Employment Numbers
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Food Service Managers
244,230
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
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: Data Scientists or Food Service Managers?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $47,280 (72.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
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 Data Scientists and Food Service Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 233,440 Data Scientists positions and 244,230 Food Service Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Food Service Managers to Data Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Data Scientists has a median salary of $112,590 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