Food Service and Dining Room Management: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
This program equips students with the essential knowledge and practical skills needed to lead and manage food service operations in diverse dining environments. Focused on excellence in customer experience and operational efficiency, it prepares individuals for leadership roles in restaurants, cafeterias, hotels, and other hospitality settings.
- Nutritional and sensory science of food: Explores how ingredients affect taste, texture, and health, enabling informed decisions in menu planning and food preparation.
- Food service principles: Covers foundational concepts in food delivery systems, workflow design, and resource allocation within service environments.
- Table and counter service techniques: Develops proficiency in professional service protocols, including etiquette, order handling, and customer interaction at both seated and self-service points.
- Dining room operations and procedures: Focuses on daily management of service areas, from setup and pacing to closing routines and inventory control.
- Supervision and team management: Teaches leadership strategies for hiring, training, motivating, and evaluating service staff in fast-paced environments.
- Professional communication skills: Builds effective verbal and nonverbal communication abilities essential for coordination among staff and engagement with guests.
- Business mathematics for food service: Applies mathematical concepts to pricing, cost control, payroll, and budgeting within dining operations.
- Safety and sanitation standards: Emphasizes compliance with health codes, hazard prevention, and hygiene practices to ensure safe food handling and service.
Food Service and Dining Room Management Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Food Service and Dining Room Management Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Food Service and Dining Room Management degrees, including First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 1,187,460 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers 35-1012 | $42,010 | $29,340 - $63,420 | 1,187,460 | $20.20 |
Food Service and Dining Room Management Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $30,500 in West Virginia to $56,350 in District of Columbia—a 85% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Washington, and Hawaii. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,187,460 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Food Service and Dining Room Management by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 11 institutions offering Food Service and Dining Room Management programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Food Service and Dining Room Management is found at Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) (28 graduates), Tulsa Technology Center (Tulsa Tech) (24 graduates), Lakeshore Technical College (LTC) (6 graduates), Mid-State Technical College (Mid-State) (5 graduates), and Richland Community College (4 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 75 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) |
Residency
|
28 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | matc.edu |
| Tulsa Technology Center (Tulsa Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
24 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Public | tulsatech.edu |
| Lakeshore Technical College (LTC) |
Residency
|
6 | Cleveland, Wisconsin | Public | gotoltc.edu |
| Mid-State Technical College (Mid-State) |
Other Award
|
5 | Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin | Public | mstc.edu |
| Richland Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
4 | Decatur, Illinois | Public | richland.edu |
| William Rainey Harper College |
Other Award
|
2 | Palatine, Illinois | Public | harpercollege.edu |
| Henry Ford College (HFC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Dearborn, Michigan | Public | hfcc.edu |
| Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Belleville, Illinois | Public | swic.edu |
| Kaskaskia College (KC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Centralia, Illinois | Public | kaskaskia.edu |
| Northampton County Area Community College (NCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | Public | northampton.edu |
| Westmoreland County Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Youngwood, Pennsylvania | Public | westmoreland.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Food Service and Dining Room Management programs
How much can I earn with a Food Service and Dining Room Management degree?
Salaries for Food Service and Dining Room Management graduates vary by role and location. First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers earn a median of $42,010 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $56,350 compared to $30,500 in West Virginia. Approximately 1,187,460 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Food Service and Dining Room Management programs?
Currently 11 accredited institutions offer Food Service and Dining Room Management degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) (28 graduates), Tulsa Technology Center (Tulsa Tech) (24 graduates), and Lakeshore Technical College (LTC) (6 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Food Service and Dining Room Management growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 180 in 2010 to a peak of 133 in 2020, before declining slightly to 75 in 2023-24. This represents a 58% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Food Service and Dining Room Management degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers. Related occupations employ approximately 1,187,460 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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