First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers
First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers directly oversee and coordinate the activities of kitchen and dining staff. They work in restaurants, cafeterias, catering companies, hotels, and other food service establishments, managing schedules, quality control, and day-to-day operations while ensuring food safety standards are met.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against first-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A typical week involves monitoring food preparation stations, checking that staff follow recipes and safety protocols, and managing customer service issues. Supervisors handle scheduling, train new employees, track inventory, and communicate between kitchen and front-of-house teams. They may also resolve equipment problems, handle complaints, and ensure tables turn over efficiently during busy shifts.
Who this work suits
Holland code ECR. Enterprising work is leading, persuading and making decisions. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You likely do well in this role if you enjoy organizing people and processes and prefer structured, rule-based work. You're comfortable making decisions quickly, managing multiple tasks, and taking responsibility for a team's performance in a fast-paced environment.
What it takes
Preparation: Some preparation (usually high school; some on-the-job training). Most people in this occupation hold a high school diploma.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $48,660 | $59,400 | $73,860 | 20,700 |
| District of Columbia | $45,990 | $57,170 | $65,430 | 2,830 |
| Connecticut | $41,770 | $52,940 | $64,010 | 10,770 |
| Colorado | $42,850 | $50,550 | $61,680 | 25,510 |
| Vermont | $43,920 | $49,820 | $59,560 | 1,970 |
| New Hampshire | $40,870 | $49,710 | $62,470 | 3,840 |
| Hawaii | $40,730 | $48,880 | $63,680 | 7,330 |
| New Jersey | $38,290 | $48,420 | $61,050 | 27,750 |
| Rhode Island | $41,600 | $48,400 | $64,180 | 3,320 |
| Delaware | $44,670 | $48,120 | $60,130 | 4,030 |
| Maine | $41,590 | $47,990 | $57,930 | 3,740 |
| New York | $39,250 | $47,190 | $58,280 | 65,580 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- Certified Professional - Food Safety (CP-FS) — National Environmental Health Association
- Certified Food Manager (CFM) — International Food Service Executives Association
- Certified Food Executive (CFE) — International Food Service Executives Association
- Certified Correctional Food Systems Manager (CFSM) — American Correctional Food Service Association
- Certified in Comprehensive Food Safety (CCFS) — National Environmental Health Association
- Certified Working Pastry Chef (CWPC) — American Culinary Federation, Inc.
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
and 4 more
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against first-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 35-1012.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.