Food Service Managers vs Industrial Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn $35,830 more per year than Food Service Managers professionals — that's 54.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Food Service Managers earns $105,420 compared to $157,140 for Industrial Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Food Service Managers$42,380 – $105,420
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
$42,380$157,140
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Food Service Managers | Industrial Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $42,380 | $70,000 | $-27,620 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,090 | $81,910 | $-28,820 |
| Median (50th) | $65,310 | $101,140 | $-35,830 |
| 75th Percentile | $82,300 | $127,480 | $-45,180 |
| 90th Percentile | $105,420 | $157,140 | $-51,720 |
| Mean (Average) | $72,370 | $107,900 | $-35,530 |
Employment Numbers
Food Service Managers
244,230
employed nationwide
Industrial Engineers
350,230
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Industrial Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $139,130 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $133,790 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $126,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $126,310 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Food Service Managers or Industrial Engineers?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $35,830 (54.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Industrial Engineers?
Industrial Engineers salaries range from $70,000 (10th percentile) to $157,140 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,140.
How many Food Service Managers and Industrial Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 244,230 Food Service Managers positions and 350,230 Industrial Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Industrial Engineers to Food Service Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Food Service Managers has a median salary of $65,310 while Industrial Engineers earns $101,140. 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