Explore the Highest-Paying Jobs in the Hospitality Industry - LegitBio
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Some entry-level positions in the hospitality industry, like server or bartender, require little to no formal education. However, more advanced positions, like those in hotel management, have started to require a college degree.

Nevertheless, the hospitality industry can be a great place to advance with on-the-job experience. Many professions in the industry offer the opportunity to earn a higher income and advance to highest-paying jobs.

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The US economy relies heavily on services, so there is a high demand for hospitality roles at all experience levels. In this article, we’ll go over the ten highest-paying jobs you may want to explore if you want to work in hospitality. 

What is a Hospitality Job?

A career in hospitality entails interacting directly with patrons in establishments such as theme parks, hotels, restaurants, and other establishments intended for leisure pursuits.

Some hospitality jobs, such as marketing, sales, and accounting, offer background assistance even though many involve interacting with customers. Generally speaking, working in the hospitality industry requires a strong desire to interact with people and deliver exceptional service.

You might frequently be on your feet for extended periods, particularly if you decide to work in attractions or food service. Specific jobs in the hospitality industry also call for particular abilities.

For instance, established musical skills are usually advantageous for those who wish to work as cruise ship entertainers. Many people in the hospitality industry start in entry-level positions, but this is a field where individuals can move up to higher roles that offer larger salaries.

10 Highest-Paying Hospitality Jobs

1. Director of Housekeeping 

Average salary: $47,400 per year

A director of housekeeping will usually work in a hotel, resort, or another type of lodging, though you can also work in places like schools and hospitals. In this role, you’re in charge of the housekeeping staff.

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You’re also responsible for ensuring the facility where you work is clean, training new employees, creating schedules, ordering supplies, and inspecting rooms to ensure they’re up to standard. 

2. Restaurant Manager

Average salary: $57,350 per year

A restaurant manager oversees the operations of a dining establishment! All types of restaurants have managers, although higher-end restaurants tend to offer higher salaries.

In this role, an individual manages the staff of a restaurant, plans staffing for the kitchen and waitstaff, plans and develops the business’s marketing strategy, hires and trains new employees, evaluates staff performance, and manages and updates the menus.

They also control costs, manage the budget, and nurture a positive environment for staff members and guests. Depending on the restaurant, the manager may track and maintain an inventory of food and supplies, participate in local events to generate awareness and develop loyalty programs for patrons.

3. Event Manager

Explore the Highest-Paying Jobs in the Hospitality Industry

Average salary: $59,454 per year

An event manager’s duties may vary depending on the industry and company they work for, but their primary responsibilities include planning, organizing, and managing events of all sizes.

In a corporate setting, an event manager might plan meetings with clients and companies to generate awareness of their brand. When working for a hotel or entertainment venue, an event manager will work with clients who want to host their events at their location.

They also help arrange the logistics, such as catering, event space and guest accommodations. To succeed as an event planner, you must have an eye for detail, excellent communication, and strong organizational skills.

4. Hotel General Manager

Average salary: $59,477 per year

The general manager of a hotel is responsible for all aspects of the facility’s operations, including managing the staff, overseeing the guest experience, and ensuring that all guests’ needs are met throughout their stays.

A hotel’s general manager should also serve as a brand ambassador, supporting the culture and goals of the company. Daily duties might include:

  • Holding regular staff meetings with department heads.
  • Planning and presenting to the hotel owner or managing company.
  • Setting budgets and goals.
  • Handling guest complaints and concerns.
  • Monitoring spending and financial outlooks and preparing reports.

5. Sales Manager 

Average salary:  $129,350 per year

Sales managers aren’t limited to the hospitality industry. Still, within that context, they often work for hotels, resorts, event facilities, and entertainment venues to help ensure those places do as much business as possible. This is also one of the highest-paying jobs in the hospitality industry.

In this role, you’ll pursue new leads to secure business, analyze data and reports to help you find and attract customers, delegate tasks and manage other sales team members, build and execute new sales plans, and monitor budgets, among other things. 

6. Casino Director

Average salary:  $92,340 per year

Working as a casino director means ensuring that the day-to-day operations run smoothly. While you aim to provide guests with enjoyment, you’ll also spend time hiring and training employees.

In addition, you will monitor employees to ensure they follow house rules, create schedules, monitor budgets and cash flow, and review surveillance footage as needed. 

7. Sommelier

Average salary: $69,665 per year

A sommelier manages the wine offerings in a restaurant or hotel. Some of the most common duties include creating wine lists, maintaining and rotating the wine stock, making wine pairings for customers and waitstaff, and ordering wine from vineyards and other providers.

To become a sommelier, you should have a passion for wine and strong communication skills, as this role involves regularly talking to people. Sommeliers may also go through certification programs to show their knowledge of wine.

8. Food Service Director

Average salary: $62,670 per year

A food service manager is a professional who leads the operations within a food organization. The duties of a food service director include hiring and training employees, making schedules and completing payroll.

They may also keep track of inventory, set food prices, maintain equipment and fill in as needed to clean tables and greet customers.

9. Travel Manager

Average salary: $66,450 per year

A travel manager works for a travel agency or large corporation to direct, operate and administer a travel program.

The primary duties often include making travel arrangements for business executives and other staff members, although they may work directly with clients to book personal travel through an agency.

Travel managers usually work during regular business hours, although they sometimes work some weekends and evenings to assist with any issues that may arise while their clients travel. Other duties include:

  • Evaluating travel services and deals.
  • Processing documents.
  • Arranging for accommodations and planning travel itineraries.

10. Executive Chef

Average salary: $77,850 per year

Executive chefs work in kitchens in restaurants and hotels to oversee their daily operations. Their duties may include:

  • Hiring, training and managing kitchen staff members.
  • Maintaining the quality of the food served.
  • Planning menus and drink pairings.
  • Make sure that all dishes are prepared correctly, promptly and freshly.
  • Coordinating tasks for other members of the team.
  • Reviewing and coordinating staffing.
  • Obtaining feedback on service and food quality.

An executive chef may also be responsible for some of the administrative tasks of the restaurant, such as payroll or monitoring and maintaining inventory. This is also one of the highest-paying jobs in the hospitality industry.

Where Can I Get Hospitality Jobs?

Entertainment and Recreation

Entertainment and recreation facilities, such as sports stadiums, spas, conference centers, theme parks, concert venues, casinos, and theaters, all hire hospitality-related employees. 

  • Entry-level jobs can include server, concession stand worker, ticket tacker, security
  • Advanced jobs can consist of Operations manager, event coordinator, director of sales

Food and Beverage 

The food and beverage industry involves preparing and serving food and drinks to customers. It can include work in restaurants, cafes, bakeries, food trucks, bars, breweries, wineries, or nightclubs. 

  • Entry-level jobs can include: Host, server, bartender
  • Advanced jobs can consist of Head chef, pastry chef, sommelier

Lodging and Hotel Services

Hotels, resorts, and other lodging facilities are significant employers in the hospitality industry. You’re there to ensure the comfort and safety of people who need a place to stay while they’re away from home. 

  • Entry-level jobs can include Housekeeper, front desk clerk, reservation assistant
  • Advanced jobs can consist of Sales manager, marketing specialist, hotel manager

Travel and Tourism

If you want a hospitality job in the travel and tourism sector, you might work as a flight attendant at a resort, on a cruise ship, or even on an airplane. 

  • Entry-level jobs include server, fitness instructor, deckhand
  • Advanced jobs include Operations manager, entertainment director, cruise ship director

What are the Essential Skills for Hospitality Jobs?

Different technical skills or the specialized knowledge required to carry out a particular position are necessary for careers in the hospitality industry. For instance, you must be able to cook if you are a kitchen crew member.

On the other hand, a housekeeper must become familiar with cleaning and scheduling procedures. In addition to the technical aspects of each position, occupations in the hospitality industry usually call for specific workplace competencies, such as customer service, which are frequently referred to as “soft skills.”

Depending on how “front-facing” your job is, you might interact with dozens or hundreds of clients and colleagues. Other essential skills you’ll need for hospitality jobs may include: 

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  • Attention to detail
  • Communication
  • Cultural awareness and sensitivity
  • Organization 
  • Positive attitude
  • Problem-solving
  • Teamwork
  • Time management 

Conclusion

There you have it: ten of the highest-paying jobs in the hospitality industry to boost your career. Good luck!

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