← Business, Finance, Sales & Administration
Food Service Managers
SOC 11-9051 · Business, Finance, Sales & Administration
jobs in Hamilton County, 2026
estimated openings each year
median pay in Hamilton County
projected job growth
Source: Lightcast Q1 2026 occupation snapshot, Hamilton County, IN.
What this job pays in the Indianapolis area
Half of workers earn more than the median, half earn less. The range below runs from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
| Point in the range | Per year | Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $41,640 | $20.02 |
| 25th percentile | $55,940 | $26.90 |
| Median (middle) | $75,730 | $36.41 |
| 75th percentile | $89,500 | $43.03 |
| 90th percentile | $100,480 | $48.31 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release, Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood MSA. Hamilton County employers often pay above the metro median for skilled roles. "Not published" means the federal source suppressed or top-coded that value.
What you need to get started
Most common education: A high school diploma or GED.
How much preparation: Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma and a few months of learning on the job.
Source: O*NET database, U.S. Department of Labor (2021-2023 vintages).
Where this role can lead
Upward moves documented from real job changes in this region, with how pay typically changes.
| Occupation | Match score | Monthly postings | Typical pay change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chefs and Head Cooks | 86 of 100 | 5.6 | +$6,666 per year |
| Lodging Managers | 69 of 100 | 5.1 | +$7,173 per year |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | 69 of 100 | 92.8 | -$4,552 per year |
| General and Operations Managers | 69 of 100 | 48.0 | +$44,166 per year |
| Agricultural Technicians | 66 of 100 | 0.6 | -$811 per year |
| Tour and Travel Guides | 64 of 100 | 0.7 | -$2,063 per year |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | 64 of 100 | 38.8 | +$10,179 per year |
Common paths into this role
Jobs people often hold before moving into Food Service Managers.
| Occupation | Match score | Monthly postings | Typical pay change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | 92 of 100 | 3.7 | -$22,927 per year |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | 92 of 100 | 44.3 | -$9,862 per year |
| Waiters and Waitresses | 91 of 100 | 39.0 | -$18,102 per year |
| Food Preparation Workers | 91 of 100 | 34.2 | -$22,702 per year |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 85 of 100 | 41.9 | -$22,785 per year |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | 84 of 100 | 17.2 | -$20,452 per year |
| Bartenders | 83 of 100 | 17.7 | -$15,624 per year |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | 81 of 100 | 20.2 | -$21,336 per year |
This role is a documented next step from
Source: Lightcast Career Pathways, Q1 2026, Indianapolis MSA (network built July 2026 from 64 exports).
Local training that can get you there
- Ivy Tech Community College
Post-secondary
Associate degrees, certificates, workforce credentials across IT, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, business, skilled trades. - The Pursuit Institute (TPI)
K-12 CTE
K-12 CTE consortium serving all 6 Hamilton County school corps. 9 career pathways, 15 TPI-managed programs, 450+ courses. Advanced manufacturing, healthcare, business/finance, education, agriculture, info tech, hospitality, engineering. - Manager Development Lab (MDL)
Management Development
IHC + IU Tobias Leadership Center cohort program. First-line manager development for Hamilton County employers.
Source: IHC program registry, curated April 2026. Programs decide their own eligibility and enrollment.