Food Service Managers vs Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Food Service Managers professionals earn $2,340 more per year than Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals — that's 3.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Food Service Managers earns $105,420 compared to $105,150 for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.
Salary Range Comparison
Food Service Managers$42,380 – $105,420
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
$40,670$105,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Food Service Managers | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $42,380 | $40,670 | +$1,710 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,090 | $48,860 | +$4,230 |
| Median (50th) | $65,310 | $62,970 | +$2,340 |
| 75th Percentile | $82,300 | $81,900 | +$400 |
| 90th Percentile | $105,420 | $105,150 | +$270 |
| Mean (Average) | $72,370 | $69,940 | +$2,430 |
Employment Numbers
Food Service Managers
244,230
employed nationwide
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
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 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $100,110 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $98,890 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $97,020 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $90,220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $87,160 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Food Service Managers or Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Food Service Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $2,340 (3.7% 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 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salaries range from $40,670 (10th percentile) to $105,150 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,970.
How many Food Service Managers and Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs are there?
There are approximately 244,230 Food Service Managers positions and 455,940 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters to Food Service Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Food Service Managers has a median salary of $65,310 while Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earns $62,970. 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