Restaurant and Food Service Management Degree Programs in Little Rock, AR (2026)
Quick answer: The Little Rock metro employs about 700 food service managers (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing is set at the state level, through your local health department and state food safety authority.
Compare restaurant and food service management programs enrolling now:
Licensing
Licensing is a state matter, not a city one. No license is required to manage a restaurant. The regulatory piece is food safety: a food protection manager certification, commonly ServSafe from the National Restaurant Association, with the specific requirement set by local health departments rather than nationally. On the academic side ACPHA accredits hospitality administration programs, though employer recognition and demonstrated operating results carry more weight here than programmatic accreditation.
See the Arkansas licensing and pay overview for the statewide picture, and confirm current requirements with your local health department and state food safety authority.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
We do not have campus-based schools on record within 250 miles of this area right now. School availability changes as programs open and close, and many programs in this field enroll online - see the main program page for options that are not tied to your location. Know a school we missed? Tell us.
What Food Service Managers Earn in Little Rock
Food Service Managers in the Little Rock area earn a median $58,620 per year, below the national median of $69,390 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Restaurant and Food Service Management Pay in Little Rock, AR
| Metric | Little Rock metro | Arkansas | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $58,620 | $55,120 | $69,390 |
| 10th percentile | $39,520 | $37,690 | $45,960 |
| 25th percentile | $47,120 | $45,590 | $56,870 |
| 75th percentile | $64,650 | $63,160 | $86,800 |
| 90th percentile | $80,640 | $79,300 | $107,640 |
| Employment | 700 | 2,720 | 238,430 |
| Location quotient | 1.28 | - | 1.00 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Metro figures cover the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR metropolitan statistical area.
What the Numbers Say About This Market
The Little Rock median of $58,620 is below the national median of $69,390, and above the Arkansas statewide median of $55,120 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The metro’s location quotient of 1.28 means food service managers are more concentrated here than in the average U.S. labor market (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Higher concentration generally means more employers competing for the same people, and an easier job change later.
Food service management tracks restaurant density, tourism and hospitality activity, so it is one of the most evenly distributed occupations on the site.
Other Arkansas Metro Areas
| Metro area | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $55,960 | 740 |
| Fort Smith | $50,390 | 180 |
| Jonesboro | $55,940 | 140 |
| Hot Springs | $52,380 | 110 |
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do food service managers make in Little Rock?
The median annual wage for food service managers in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR metro area is $58,620, below the national median of $69,390 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
How many food service managers work in the Little Rock area?
The Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR metro area employs about 700 food service managers (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Do food service managers in Little Rock need a license?
Licensing is handled at state level rather than by city. No license is required to manage a restaurant. The regulatory piece is food safety: a food protection manager certification, commonly ServSafe from the National Restaurant Association, with the specific requirement set by local health departments rather than nationally. On the academic side ACPHA accredits hospitality administration programs, though employer recognition and demonstrated operating results carry more weight here than programmatic accreditation. Confirm current requirements with your local health department and state food safety authority.
Can I study restaurant and food service management online from Little Rock?
The academic portion of these programs is widely available online for working adults, while labs, clinical hours or supervised field work are completed in person. Check that the program's accreditation satisfies your local health department and state food safety authority.
Is Little Rock a better market than the rest of Arkansas?
The Little Rock metro median is $58,620 against a statewide median of $55,120 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Compare that gap with the difference in living costs before treating it as a raise.
Related
- Restaurant and Food Service Management degree programs in Arkansas - statewide pay, licensing and metro comparison
- Restaurant and Food Service Management programs and how to choose one
- Culinary Chef career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Food Service Managers (SOC 11-9051), national, state and metropolitan estimates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.