Food service managers
SOC Code: 11-9051
Food service managers carries a 43% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $65,310 and +6.4% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 352,800 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Food service managers (SOC 11-9051) carries an AI exposure score of 43%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 352,800 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +6.4% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $65,310, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus Less than 5 years of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Food service managers. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Monitor employee and patron activities to ensure liquor regulations are obeyed.
- 2. Greet guests, escort them to their seats, and present them with menus and wine lists.
- 3. Count money and make bank deposits.
- 4. Establish standards for personnel performance and customer service.
- 5. Keep records required by government agencies regarding sanitation or food subsidies.
- 6. Schedule staff hours and assign duties.
- 7. Investigate and resolve complaints regarding food quality, service, or accommodations.
- 8. Maintain food and equipment inventories, and keep inventory records.
- 9. Perform some food preparation or service tasks, such as cooking, clearing tables, and serving food and drinks when necessary.
- 10. Monitor budgets and payroll records, and review financial transactions to ensure that expenditures are authorized and budgeted.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Coordination
- Management of Personnel Resources
- Reading Comprehension
- Service Orientation
- Critical Thinking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Time Management
Knowledge Areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- Food Production
- English Language
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Sales and Marketing
- Mathematics
- Administrative
- Production and Processing
- Education and Training
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Food service managers?
Food service managers has an AI exposure score of 43%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Food service managers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Food service managers is projected to grow by 6.4% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 352,800 workers.
What skills are needed for Food service managers?
Key skills for Food service managers include Active Listening, Speaking, Monitoring, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Food service managers earn?
The median annual wage for Food service managers is $65,310, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Food service managers?
The typical entry-level education for Food service managers is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect Less than 5 years of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Short-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Food service managers?
Food service managers roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).