How to Become a Food Preparation and Serving Worker Supervisor in 2026
Median salary: $42,010 · +6.0% projected growth (2024–2034)
What does a Food Preparation and Serving Worker Supervisor do?
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in preparing and serving food.
Food Preparation and Serving Worker Supervisor Salary in 2026
The median annual salary for First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers is $42,010. The bottom 10% earn around $29,340 while the top 10% earn over $63,420.
| Experience level | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| Entry-level (P10) | $29,340 |
| Early career (P25) | $35,400 |
| Median | $42,010 |
| Experienced (P75) | $50,920 |
| Top earners (P90) | $63,420 |
Highest-paying metros
Food Preparation and Serving Worker Supervisor salary by state
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $56,350 |
| Washington | $49,850 |
| Hawaii | $49,820 |
| Connecticut | $49,480 |
| Rhode Island | $49,000 |
| Delaware | $48,700 |
| New Jersey | $48,210 |
| Colorado | $47,920 |
| Vermont | $47,650 |
| Maine | $47,600 |
| New Hampshire | $47,460 |
| Alaska | $47,010 |
| New York | $46,680 |
| Massachusetts | $46,630 |
| California | $46,140 |
| Virginia | $45,440 |
| Minnesota | $45,350 |
| Oregon | $44,850 |
| North Dakota | $44,030 |
| North Carolina | $43,860 |
| Maryland | $42,920 |
| Arizona | $42,790 |
| Montana | $42,050 |
| Florida | $41,980 |
| South Dakota | $40,070 |
| Nevada | $39,700 |
| New Mexico | $39,670 |
| Illinois | $39,080 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,980 |
| South Carolina | $38,950 |
| Indiana | $38,860 |
| Wisconsin | $38,700 |
| Iowa | $38,320 |
| Nebraska | $38,170 |
| Utah | $38,070 |
| Michigan | $37,960 |
| Tennessee | $37,960 |
| Kansas | $37,910 |
| Idaho | $37,840 |
| Georgia | $37,360 |
| Wyoming | $37,260 |
| Missouri | $36,990 |
| Ohio | $36,900 |
| Texas | $36,650 |
| Alabama | $35,940 |
| Louisiana | $35,640 |
| Kentucky | $35,060 |
| Oklahoma | $34,950 |
| Mississippi | $34,230 |
| Arkansas | $31,950 |
| West Virginia | $30,500 |
How to earn more as a Food Preparation and Serving Worker Supervisor
The salary range for Food Preparation and Serving Worker Supervisors spans $34,080 — from $29,340 at entry level to $63,420 for top earners. The highest-paying metro area is District of Columbia at $56,350 — $14,340 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field.
How to get there
Typical education: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience: Less than 5 years
Starting from high school
- Start in an entry-level position with structured on-the-job training
- Earn industry-recognized certifications (ServSafe, food handler certification, ACF certification)
- Complete OSHA 10-Hour or OSHA 30-Hour safety certification ($25–$200)
- Gain 1–2 years of supervised work experience
- Advance to journeyman level or specialized role
Many restaurants offer paid training for entry-level positions. Culinary schools and community college culinary programs provide more structured education (6 months–2 years). ServSafe Food Protection Manager certification ($36 exam) is required in many jurisdictions. Consider starting as a line cook or prep cook and working your way up — many successful chefs followed this path.
Many employers provide paid training. Union apprenticeships are typically paid from day one. Trade school programs may require tuition.
Switching from another career
- Assess which of your existing skills transfer (many do — see below)
- Complete a short certification or orientation program (ServSafe, food handler certification, ACF certification)
- Apply for entry-level or apprentice positions — highlight transferable skills
- Complete any required on-the-job training (often shortened for experienced workers)
- Advance faster than new entrants using your professional experience
Restaurant work values hustle, consistency, and the ability to work under pressure — skills that transfer from many other careers. If you've worked in any fast-paced, customer-facing environment, you have relevant experience. Many restaurants will hire motivated career changers and train them from scratch. Starting in a support role (prep cook, line cook) and working up is a time-tested path.
Certification costs are typically self-funded, but some employers reimburse. Union programs are paid positions.
Already working in another career?
See how your skills transfer to Food Preparation and Serving Worker Supervisor — free. PathScorer maps your experience against the requirements and shows you what you already qualify for.
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The Food Preparation and Serving Worker Supervisor role faces above-average AI exposure. Some tasks are increasingly automatable, but the role is evolving rather than disappearing.
See full AI risk breakdownRelated careers to consider
Based on skill overlap analysis — these occupations share core competencies with Food Preparation and Serving Worker Supervisor.
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SOC: 35-1012.00 · Data: O*NET 29.1, BLS OEWS 2024, BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034