Food Service Managers vs Nurse Practitioners: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Nurse Practitioners professionals earn $63,900 more per year than Food Service Managers professionals — that's 97.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Food Service Managers earns $105,420 compared to $169,950 for Nurse Practitioners.
Salary Range Comparison
Food Service Managers$42,380 – $105,420
Nurse Practitioners$97,960 – $169,950
$42,380$169,950
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Food Service Managers | Nurse Practitioners | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $42,380 | $97,960 | $-55,580 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,090 | $109,940 | $-56,850 |
| Median (50th) | $65,310 | $129,210 | $-63,900 |
| 75th Percentile | $82,300 | $149,570 | $-67,270 |
| 90th Percentile | $105,420 | $169,950 | $-64,530 |
| Mean (Average) | $72,370 | $132,000 | $-59,630 |
Employment Numbers
Food Service Managers
244,230
employed nationwide
Nurse Practitioners
307,390
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 Nurse Practitioners
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $225,730 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $220,330 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $164,520 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $164,510 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $162,470 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Food Service Managers or Nurse Practitioners?
Nurse Practitioners professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $63,900 (97.8% 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 Nurse Practitioners?
Nurse Practitioners salaries range from $97,960 (10th percentile) to $169,950 (90th percentile), with a median of $129,210.
How many Food Service Managers and Nurse Practitioners jobs are there?
There are approximately 244,230 Food Service Managers positions and 307,390 Nurse Practitioners positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Nurse Practitioners to Food Service Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Food Service Managers has a median salary of $65,310 while Nurse Practitioners earns $129,210. 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