Food Service Managers pay range in San Diego
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $45,760 a year or less, while the top 10% make $122,040 or more. The middle half of food service managers in San Diego earn between $63,980 and $100,610.
- $46K10th
- $64K25th
- $80KMedian
- $101K75th
- $122K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $84,680 | $7,057 | $40.71 |
| Median | $80,010 | $6,668 | $38.47 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $63,980 | $5,332 | $30.76 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $100,610 | $8,384 | $48.37 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Food Service Managers pay in San Diego vs. California and the U.S.
Food service managers in San Diego earn about the same as the California average ($84,300) and 13% more than the U.S. average ($74,880). At the median the gap is +15% against the U.S. median of $69,390.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | $84,680 | $80,010 | $45,760 | $122,040 | 4,130 |
| California | $84,300 | $78,260 | $47,690 | $127,340 | 33,180 |
| United States | $74,880 | $69,390 | $45,960 | $107,640 | 238,430 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Food Service Managers salary after taxes in San Diego
On the average salary of $84,680, a single filer in San Diego takes home about $64,619 a year, or $5,385 a month and $2,485 every two weeks. Taxes take 24% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Is San Diego a good place for food service managers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the San Diego area are 12% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 111.9), so the average $84,680 buys what about $75,684 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.4 times the median wage of all jobs in San Diego ($58,690). A typical home costs $946,365, or 11.2 years of this average salary before tax.
Food Service Managers salary in other California cities
San Diego ranks 6th of 25 California metro areas for this job; San Jose pays the most ($98,230).
- San Jose$98,230
- Napa$96,840
- San Francisco$94,820
- Salinas$86,290
- Santa Rosa$85,080
- San Diego$84,680
- Los Angeles$84,570
- Santa Maria$82,980
- El Centro$82,240
- San Luis Obispo$81,990
Highest-paying cities for food service managers
Seattle, WA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($104,480).
- Seattle, WA$104,480
- Kennewick, WA$104,110
- San Jose, CA$98,230
- Olympia, WA$97,450
- Napa, CA$96,840
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Food Service Managers salary in San Diego: questions
How much do food service managers make an hour in San Diego?
$40.71 an hour on average, and $38.47 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level food service managers salary in San Diego?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $45,760 a year and the 25th percentile is $63,980, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the food service managers take-home pay in San Diego?
About $64,619 a year ($5,385 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $84,680. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do food service managers earn more in San Diego than elsewhere?
The average here is 13% more than the U.S. average for this job ($74,880).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 11-9051; area San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA (41740). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 4.2%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.75, this job is 1.8 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.