Food Service Managers vs Natural Sciences Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Natural Sciences Managers professionals earn $95,870 more per year than Food Service Managers professionals — that's 146.8% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Food Service Managers$42,380 – $105,420
Natural Sciences Managers$79,830 – N/A
$42,380$105,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Food Service Managers | Natural Sciences Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $42,380 | $79,830 | $-37,450 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,090 | $114,110 | $-61,020 |
| Median (50th) | $65,310 | $161,180 | $-95,870 |
| 75th Percentile | $82,300 | $214,820 | $-132,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $105,420 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $72,370 | $173,500 | $-101,130 |
Employment Numbers
Food Service Managers
244,230
employed nationwide
Natural Sciences Managers
100,870
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 Natural Sciences Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $222,840 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $221,480 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $219,380 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $208,230 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $199,590 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Food Service Managers or Natural Sciences Managers?
Natural Sciences Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $95,870 (146.8% 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 Natural Sciences Managers?
Natural Sciences Managers salaries range from $79,830 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $161,180.
How many Food Service Managers and Natural Sciences Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 244,230 Food Service Managers positions and 100,870 Natural Sciences Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Natural Sciences Managers to Food Service Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Food Service Managers has a median salary of $65,310 while Natural Sciences Managers earns $161,180. 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