2025 Restaurant & Hospitality Industry Salary Report: What Employers Need to Know
March 2025
As the hospitality and restaurant industries continue to evolve, one thing remains constant: the importance of offering competitive pay to attract and retain top talent. That’s where this year’s RestaurantZone 2025 Salary Report for Restaurant & Hospitality Industry comes in.
Drawing from thousands of data points—including our own placements and data from top sources like Glassdoor, Payscale, and Indeed – we’ve analyzed national compensation trends across both restaurant and hospitality sectors. Below, we break down the key shifts, standout roles, and state-by-state differences that business owners and hiring managers should keep in mind this year.
Salary Trends in the Restaurant Industry
Here are a few notable trends for 2025:
- Executive Chef salaries saw a 14% increase, with the national average rising to $83,555.
- Restaurant General Managers experienced steady growth, now earning an average of $60,108 – up nearly 8% from last year.
- District Managers climbed to $82,956, reflecting a 15% jump year-over-year.
- VP of Operations roles now average $152,975, a significant rise from 2024’s $137,541.
Kitchen leadership roles also saw modest growth:
- Sous Chefs are now averaging $54,579, up 9.35%.
- Kitchen Managers increased to $54,472, a 7.5% boost.
Hospitality Industry Compensation Shifts
Salaries in the hospitality space also surged in many categories:
- Hotel General Managers experienced a 28% increase, averaging $75,190.
- Director of Finance roles in hospitality rose 42.5%, now averaging $123,521.
- Director of Housekeeping salaries jumped over 40%, reaching $69,968.
- Director of Sales, Group Sales Managers, and F&B leadership roles also saw double-digit gains.
Across both restaurant and hotel roles, the data clearly shows an upward trend in compensation for leadership and mid-management positions.
Regional Salary Disparities
Geography continues to play a major role in salary expectations:
- Highest-paying states: New York, Washington, Massachusetts, California, and New Jersey lead the nation in average compensation across most roles.
- Lowest-paying states: Iowa, Montana, Oklahoma, and Mississippi continue to fall below national averages.
If you’re expanding into new regions or operating across multiple markets, this data can help guide more tailored compensation strategies.
Why This Matters
Competitive compensation isn’t just about keeping pace – it’s about standing out. With talent in high demand, especially for multi-unit roles and culinary leadership, salary transparency and thoughtful planning are more important than ever.
Whether you’re budgeting for the year ahead or adjusting offers to close key hires, the insights in this report can help you make smarter, more strategic decisions.
Want the full report?
Access the complete breakdown, including role-by-role data and state-specific salary benchmarks, here:
[Download the 2025 Salary Report]
About RestaurantZone
RestaurantZone is a leading recruiting firm serving the restaurant, hotel, and hospitality industry. We specialize in helping businesses hire top talent nationwide – from GMs to corporate executives.
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