Catering Manager Salary

Created by Henry Steele

By Henry Steele - April 15, 2018
Reading Time: 8 minutes
Reading Time: 8 minutes

The following article discusses the career path of Catering Manager. Learn about how to become one, education requirements, job duties, traits and qualities, national salary outlook as well as top national employers of Catering Managers.

Job Duties

Catering managers ensure that food services are operating appropriately. They must make sure that food is ordered and delivered on time and that it meets all the relevant standards. They also supervise chefs and waiters, making sure that clients can be served properly. To do this, they must be very patient, handle stressful situations the right way, and understand problem solving and logistics.

They are usually employed in hotels or restaurants, although some of them have their own catering business. They often have a manager above them who is responsible for other elements of operations.

Other duties of the catering manager are:

  • To be responsible for the various catering operations such as special events, equipment, budget, and inventory
  • To ensure that excellent customer service is maintained and complaints about cooking or inventory are resolved
  • To work together with cooks and chefs for the development of menus, ensure timeliness, and order supplies
  • To develop positive relationships with staff, vendors, and customers

Where We Work

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 308,700 food service managers in 2016. The largest employers of these professionals are:

  • Restaurants and other eating places: 47%
  • Self-employed workers: 34%
  • Special food services: 4%
  • Accommodation: 3%

How to Become

In order to become catering managers, they usually need to have practical experience in catering. Management experience may also be beneficial. However, experience is usually more important as it ensures that they know how to deal with the unpredictability that is common in the service environment. They must also be well adapted to the fast paced environment they will be working in.

Education Requirements

In order to take on a managerial position, it is becoming increasingly expected for people to hold a bachelor’s degree as a minimum, as well as have significant work experience. Some of this experience will be obtained during degree internships. Common subjects studied at the bachelor’s level include hospitality management, restaurant management, and institutional food service.

These degree programs teach students about food preparation, sanitation, and nutrition, but they also look at the business element, such as business law, accounting, and management. Additional training in areas such as record keeping, personnel management, company policies, security, sanitation, and food preparation may also be required.

There are a number of certifications that can be helpful, including the Food Protection Manager Certification (FPMC), accredited by the American National Standards Institute. The Foodservice Management Professional (FMP) designation can be obtained through the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation as well.

Traits & Qualities

The most effective catering managers have the following traits to some degree or other:

– Excellent business acumen
– Strong communication skills, both oral and written
– Excellent customer service skills
– Detail oriented
– Strong leadership and motivational skills
– Great organizational skills
– Physical stamina
– Problem solving skills

Minimum Education

Bachelor’s Degree

National Salary

The national average salary estimate for Catering Manager was $42,219. This number is estimated from over 428,736 employees, users past and present job advertisements from Indeed.com. This equates to an hourly salary of $21.99 and monthly of $3,518.

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$14,000

$117,000

Salary Distribution

Salary by State

The following section lists Catering Manager salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings through Indeed.com. For example, Massachusetts had the largest quoted salary of $62,624 while Utah had the smallest quoted salary of $20,832.

AlabamaIllinoisNorth CarolinaTennessee
CaliforniaIndianaNew JerseyTexas
ColoradoMassachusettsNew YorkUtah
ConnecticutMarylandOhioVirginia
DCMichiganOklahomaWashington
FloridaMinnesotaPennsylvaniaWisconsin
GeorgiaMissouriSouth CarolinaWyoming
Alabama$36,910Rank: 27th
The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like PANGEATWO and Which Wich Superior Sandwiches.

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$15,000

$67,000

Salary Distribution
California$49,850Rank: 4th
The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Asian Box, Next Move Hospitality Search, SustainableHire, and The Hunter Group Associates.

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$14,000

$139,000

Salary Distribution
Colorado$43,126Rank: 6th
The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Summit Steakhouse.

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$16,000

$82,000

Salary Distribution
Connecticut$47,270Rank: 5th
The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like a villa louisa.

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$22,000

$82,000

Salary Distribution
DC$53,570Rank: 2nd
The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like AppleOne.

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$14,000

$130,000

Salary Distribution
Florida$41,426Rank: 11th
The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Goodwin Recruiting, The Lyon Group, EHS Hospitality Group, and Gecko Hospitality.

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$14,000

$112,000

Salary Distribution
Georgia$41,365Rank: 13th
The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like GUSTO, Goodwin Recruiting, Legacy Catering and Events, and TalentServed Hospitality Recruiters.

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$14,000

$88,000

Salary Distribution
Illinois$42,034Rank: 10th
The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like EHS Hospitality Group, Gecko Hospitality, Resources In Food, and BISTROT MARGOT.

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$14,000

$108,000

Salary Distribution
Indiana$39,523Rank: 18th
The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Sodexo, DoubleTree by Hilton South Bend, University of Notre Dame, and Chick-fil-A of Mishawaka Main Street.

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$14,000

$79,000

Salary Distribution
Massachusetts$62,624Rank: 1st
The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Beacon Search,Inc., Goodwin Recruiting, Panera Bread, and Gecko Hospitality.

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$14,000

$194,000

Salary Distribution
Maryland$37,302Rank: 26th
The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Metz Culinary Management, Radisson Hotel, and Urban Bar-B-Que – Ellicott City / Linthicum.

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$14,000

$116,000

Salary Distribution
Michigan$41,116Rank: 14th
The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Harper Associates and Michigan Technological University.

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$18,000

$73,000

Salary Distribution
Minnesota$41,423Rank: 12th
The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Gecko Hospitality, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Leeann Chin, Inc., and House of prime inc.

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$17,000

$76,000

Salary Distribution
Missouri$42,493Rank: 9th
The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Goodwin Recruiting, Fresh Ideas Management, and Holiday Inn.

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$18,000

$76,000

Salary Distribution
North Carolina$38,876Rank: 23rd
The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Rocky Top Hospitality, North Ridge Country Club, J & S Cafeteria, and Zoes Kitchen, Inc..

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$14,000

$75,000

Salary Distribution
New Jersey$38,970Rank: 22nd
The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Eva’s Village and Take a Break Catering LLC.

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$14,000

$116,000

Salary Distribution
New York$53,146Rank: 3rd
The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like MIST, Patrice & Associates, Goodwin Recruiting, and COREcruitment.

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$14,000

$127,000

Salary Distribution
Ohio$42,994Rank: 7th
The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Bon Appetit, Gecko Hospitality, Sodexo, and Goodwin Recruiting.

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$17,000

$81,000

Salary Distribution
Oklahoma$39,122Rank: 19th
The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like MAZZIOS and Tower Hotel Oklahoma City.

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$19,000

$63,000

Salary Distribution
Pennsylvania$41,014Rank: 15th
The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Tasty Table Catering, Gecko Hospitality, Patrice & Associates, and Metz Culinary Management.

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$14,000

$123,000

Salary Distribution
South Carolina$38,700Rank: 24th
The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Jimmy John’s Sandwiches, Summit Food and Spirits, R. Haake and Associates, and Iacofano’s Catering & Foodservice.

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$18,000

$67,000

Salary Distribution
Tennessee$40,251Rank: 16th
The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Hilton Suites Brentwood/Nashville Suites and Honey Baked Ham.

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$14,000

$79,000

Salary Distribution
Texas$39,102Rank: 21st
The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Catalyst Recruiting, Inc, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Omni Hotels, and Aramark.

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$14,000

$112,000

Salary Distribution
Utah$20,832Rank: 28th
The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Dickey’s Barbecue Pit – Park City, UT and Corner Bakery Cafe.

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$7.25

$19.95

Salary Distribution
Virginia$42,990Rank: 8th
The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Marriott International, Inc., Staffing Solutions Group, LLC, Christopher Newport University, and Meriwether Godsey.

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$18,000

$78,000

Salary Distribution
Washington$39,118Rank: 20th
The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Glendale Country Club.

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$14,000

$129,000

Salary Distribution
Wisconsin$39,712Rank: 17th
The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of WisconsinMadison.

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$18,000

$68,000

Salary Distribution
Wyoming$37,409Rank: 25th
The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Patrice & Associates.

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$16,000

$68,000

Salary Distribution

Top 20 National Employers

According to Indeed.com, the following states had employers looking to hire a Catering Manager. The quoted salary figure represents the average salary from all job postings by this employer.

Employer NameLocationAverage Salary

Learn More

Related Careers

Career NameAverage Salary

Henry Steele
Managing Editor
Henry is Managing Editor of BusinessStudent.com. He is a seasoned business professional who regularly consults with local business's throughout Southern California. Henry pursued his undergrad in Business and Economics at the University of San Diego and gained valuable life changing experience through a unique internship upon graduation.

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