Food Service Manager salary in Ames, IA
Food Service Managers in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $62,590 a year ($30.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,640 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $69,390. Pay here is 6% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $66,700. There are 1.7 food service managers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $72,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food service managers in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,600 | $20.48 |
| 25th percentile | $53,520 | $25.73 |
| Median | $62,590 | $30.09 |
| 75th percentile | $77,680 | $37.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,640 | $50.79 |
| Average (mean) | $72,730 | $34.97 |
Half of food service managers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,215.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,607.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,407.31 |
| Weekly | $1,203.65 |
| Hourly | $30.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Service Manager salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IA | $76,910 | 90 |
| Iowa City, IA | $75,150 | 140 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $66,860 | 410 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $64,220 | 80 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $63,650 | 100 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $62,940 | 910 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $62,230 | 130 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $61,930 | 270 |
Highest-paying states for food service managers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $95,190 |
| Massachusetts | $92,240 |
| Hawaii | $87,800 |
| New York | $84,200 |
| Rhode Island | $82,850 |
| Alaska | $82,030 |
| District of Columbia | $81,680 |
| Colorado | $79,870 |
| Minnesota | $79,820 |
| California | $78,260 |
See Food Service Manager pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $103,730 | $49.87 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $55,600 | $26.73 |
| Construction Manager | $96,720 | $46.50 |
| Managers, All Other | $138,110 | $66.40 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $137,010 | $65.87 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $106,520 | — |
| Natural Sciences Manager | $116,540 | $56.03 |
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | $47,660 | $22.92 |
| General and Operations Managers | $97,700 | $46.97 |
| Financial Manager | $124,010 | $59.62 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $131,340 | $63.14 |
| Industrial Production Manager | $113,930 | $54.77 |
| Chief Executive | $206,090 | $99.08 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 11-9051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food service manager make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for food service managers in the Ames, IA metro area is $62,590 a year, or $30.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food service managers make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of food service managers in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $105,640 a year. The top 25% earn $77,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for food service managers in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,600 a year, and a quarter of food service managers earn $53,520 or less.
How many food service managers work in Ames, IA?
About 100 food service managers are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.