How much does a first-line supervisor of food preparation and serving workers make?
The median first-line supervisor of food preparation and serving workers in the United States earns $44,080 per year, about $21.19 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all first-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 35-1012.
First-line supervisor of food preparation and serving workers salary range
Pay for first-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $29,940 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $65,570. The average (mean) wage of $46,180 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $29,940 | $14.40 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $35,980 | $17.30 | |
| Median (50th) | $44,080 | $21.19 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $54,570 | $26.24 | |
| 90th percentile | $65,570 | $31.52 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for first-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers (SOC 35-1012), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
First-line supervisor of food preparation and serving workers salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers earn the most in Washington at $59,400 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $33,070. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $59,400 | 20,700 |
| District of Columbia | $57,170 | 2,830 |
| Connecticut | $52,940 | 10,770 |
| Colorado | $50,550 | 25,510 |
| Vermont | $49,820 | 1,970 |
| New Hampshire | $49,710 | 3,840 |
| Hawaii | $48,880 | 7,330 |
| New Jersey | $48,420 | 27,750 |
| Rhode Island | $48,400 | 3,320 |
| Delaware | $48,120 | 4,030 |
| Maine | $47,990 | 3,740 |
| New York | $47,190 | 65,580 |
| California | $46,980 | 130,190 |
| Oregon | $46,950 | 16,880 |
| Massachusetts | $46,600 | 23,220 |
| Alaska | $46,570 | 2,390 |
| Virginia | $45,550 | 30,640 |
| Minnesota | $45,270 | 20,760 |
| North Carolina | $45,010 | 39,750 |
| Indiana | $44,880 | 23,500 |
| North Dakota | $44,720 | 2,780 |
| Florida | $44,470 | 91,500 |
| Nevada | $44,030 | 14,230 |
| Montana | $44,010 | 4,650 |
| Pennsylvania | $43,050 | 35,560 |
| Maryland | $42,450 | 20,150 |
| South Dakota | $40,640 | 2,920 |
| Arizona | $40,550 | 21,450 |
| Tennessee | $40,500 | 29,100 |
| Wisconsin | $39,670 | 21,240 |
| Illinois | $39,470 | 41,030 |
| New Mexico | $39,310 | 6,540 |
| Nebraska | $39,230 | 7,840 |
| Iowa | $38,760 | 11,400 |
| Utah | $38,750 | 13,670 |
| Georgia | $38,600 | 48,420 |
| South Carolina | $38,520 | 20,120 |
| Kansas | $38,220 | 10,520 |
| Idaho | $38,190 | 7,440 |
| Michigan | $37,940 | 32,890 |
| Missouri | $37,400 | 21,650 |
| Ohio | $37,340 | 51,990 |
| Alabama | $37,110 | 19,180 |
| Wyoming | $36,820 | 2,680 |
| Mississippi | $36,530 | 10,480 |
| Texas | $36,480 | 137,930 |
| Kentucky | $35,810 | 18,010 |
| Louisiana | $35,800 | 16,680 |
| Oklahoma | $35,420 | 18,900 |
| Arkansas | $33,800 | 11,200 |
| West Virginia | $33,070 | 6,390 |
State median wages for first-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers (SOC 35-1012), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for first-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers
The BLS projects employment of first-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers to grow 5.4% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 1,236,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 1,303,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 171,500 openings a year for first-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a first-line supervisor of food preparation and serving workers
The typical entry-level education for first-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a first-line supervisor of food preparation and serving workers earns
Employer, region, seniority, and in many cases tips shape take-home pay. Fine dining, large venues, and high cost cities lift the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $59,400) and the lowest (West Virginia, $33,070) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 1,223,240 people work as first-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers in the United States. At $44,080 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
First-line supervisor of food preparation and serving workers salary FAQ
How much does a first-line supervisor of food preparation and serving workers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a first-line supervisor of food preparation and serving workers is $21.19. The middle half of first-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers earn between $17.30 and $26.24 per hour.
What is the highest first-line supervisor of food preparation and serving workers salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of first-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers earn more than $65,570 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a first-line supervisor of food preparation and serving workers make a year?
The median annual salary for a first-line supervisor of food preparation and serving workers is $44,080. The average (mean) wage of $46,180 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a first-line supervisor of food preparation and serving workers a well paid job?
At $44,080 a year, a first-line supervisor of food preparation and serving workers earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 1,223,240 people work as first-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers in the United States.
Which state pays first-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for first-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers at $59,400 a year. District of Columbia ($57,170) and Connecticut ($52,940) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a first-line supervisor of food preparation and serving workers a good career?
Employment of first-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers is projected to grow 5.4% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 171,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a first-line supervisor of food preparation and serving workers?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for first-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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