The best-paying jobs in hospitality center around people who provide vacationers with plenty of relaxation. Whether you want to pursue a career at a five-star resort or are looking for advancement opportunities in a chain of hotels, plenty of high-salary jobs exist, from chefs and managers to directors of operations.
10 Best-Paying Jobs in Hotels/Resorts
Is there anything better than staying in an upscale hotel on an extended vacation? Choosing the right resort can make all the difference between a fabulous six-day, seven-night stay and an absolute nightmare of a trip.
The most significant indicator of a vacation experience may be something other than the location. How much a person enjoys their stay at a hotel or resort depends heavily on the staff. Friendly, attentive hotel personnel allow guests to relax, enjoy excellent meals and take time for themselves.
Who are the people who help create the relaxing vibe of a vacation getaway? Hotels and resorts depend on a network of talented, attentive individuals. As it turns out, some of those people — from chefs and sommeliers to maintenance workers and managers — are well-paid to ensure guests have the trip of a lifetime.
Note: Unless otherwise specified, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has supplied information regarding salaries.
1. Hotel Director of Sales
A hotel director of sales plays a significant role in any large hotel or resort. They manage and implement strategic sales plans to increase a hotel’s occupancy, revenue and profitability. Job duties for a hotel sales director may include:
- Creating marketing plans.
- Networking with travel agents and wholesalers.
- Negotiating room rates and contracts.
- Conducting market research.
- Providing customer service.
Hotel sales directors often use corporate-supplied sales tools to drive booking strategies. However, those who work for independent establishments may develop a system. Across establishments, including large chains and resorts, the median salary for hotel sales directors is $184,774.
2. Human Resources Manager
The human resources (HR) department is integral to running a business, and hotels or resorts are no exception. As staff sizes grow and the number of moving parts that keep an establishment functioning well increases, a dedicated HR manager can smooth out some of the wrinkles.
HR managers wear many hats and have several job duties, including — but not limited to — the following:
- Planning how the organization uses its employees’ talents.
- Linking management with employees.
- Overseeing employee benefits.
- Coordinating how organizations recruit, interview and hire new talent.
- Handling staffing issues such as disputes and disciplinary procedures.
- Consulting on HR issues like equal employment opportunity and sexual harassment.
HR managers can work directly within a hotel or resort or operate out of a corporate office and guide policies. HR manager salaries vary by location, experience and title, but the median wage for this role is $126,230.
3. Hotel Director of Operations
Larger resorts or hotels with hundreds of employees may be too big for one manager to handle. This is where a hotel director of operations comes into play. This person is responsible for overseeing all operational aspects of a hotel.
What do “operational aspects” include? The operations director’s primary responsibilities include high-level management of staff, budgets, customer service, sales and marketing. They may also be immediately concerned with safety and security protocols and housekeeping standards.
A hotel director of operations sets the tone for policies and procedures across all departments. And if customer complaints escalate, the buck usually stops with them. According to Salary.com, hotel directors of operations earn an average salary of $99,381.
4. Gambling Managers
A gambling manager at a hotel or resort oversees all casino operations. Gambling managers must have strong knowledge of the games offered and their associated rules to effectively manage and ensure fairness. Their job duties often include:
- Supervising staff, such as card dealers.
- Monitoring safety and operational standards.
- Ensuring patrons abide by gaming laws.
- Formulating house rules for the casino.
- Removing cheaters like card counters or other players with systems to shift odds.
- Interviewing, hiring and training workers.
They are also responsible for reviewing financial records and ensuring the accuracy of the casino’s accounting practices. Finally, they must maintain oversight over promoting gaming events, such as tournaments, to attract players and stimulate revenue growth.
The median salary for gambling managers is $76,910.
5. Executive Chef
A hotel or resort’s executive chef oversees all kitchen operations. This includes menu planning, food preparation and supervision of kitchen staff. They may also be responsible for ordering supplies, maintaining inventory and controlling food costs. Sometimes, the executive chef may also manage other culinary staff, such as sous chefs or cooks.
Executive chefs often have years of experience working in the restaurant industry. In many cases, they have attended culinary school. According to Salary.com, executive chefs earn a median salary of $87,191.
6. Food Service Managers
A hotel food service manager oversees the daily operation of a resort’s restaurants or other establishments. Their primary responsibilities include directing staff and ensuring customer satisfaction. Job duties for this role typically include:
- Hiring, training and managing food service employees.
- Ordering equipment and supplies.
- Overseeing food preparation.
- Inspecting work areas, supplies and equipment.
- Ensuring compliance with all safety standards and regulations.
- Addressing complaints about food quality or service.
- Scheduling staff and assigning duties.
- Managing budgets and payroll.
Food service managers partner with other leaders in the kitchen (like executive chefs) to ensure guests enjoy their dining experience. Becoming a food service manager often requires a high school diploma and several years of experience in the food service industry. Additional education may also be necessary.
Food service managers working in hotels and resorts earn a median salary of $73,650.
7. Hotel Chief Engineer
Keeping a hotel or resort running smoothly involves more than excellent customer service and clean rooms. Between elevators, laundry machines, door locks, plumbing fixtures and furnaces, several things can (and often do break).
The hotel’s chief engineer oversees the maintenance of the facility or facilities. They answer directly to the hotel’s general manager or, in some cases, the director of operations. In addition to fixing things, they often develop preventive maintenance plans and oversee all safety inspections.
Hotel chief engineers are also the point person for all outside contractors who need access to the facility, including elevator repair companies, plumbers, electricians and other general contractors.
Salary.com says chief engineers at hotels earn a median salary of $67,337.
8. Sommelier
A hotel sommelier is a professional responsible for selecting and serving wines to guests. They are experts in grape variety, wine production, flavor profiles and food and wine pairing. A hotel sommelier also oversees the proper storage of wines, managing inventory and rotating stock to maintain quality.
For their expertise, sommeliers earn a median salary of $61,866.
9. Lodging Managers
Whether someone visits a hotel to relax or as part of a business trip, they want a pleasant experience. Lodging managers help ensure this happens. A lodging manager keeps an establishment running smoothly and profitably. Their regular work includes:
- Inspecting guest rooms, public areas and the grounds for appearance and cleanliness.
- Supervising staff to ensure guest happiness.
- Answering questions about policies and services.
- Interviewing, hiring and training new staff.
- Setting room rates and budgets.
- Allocating funds to pay for various expenditures.
Most lodging managers either have a degree (bachelor’s or associate) in hospitality and hotel management, a high school diploma and several years of experience working in a hotel. Their median annual wage is $59,430.
10. Event Planners
Resorts and hotels are favorite destinations for conferences, weddings and other events. Event planners help hotel guests coordinate their participants’ experience through dining, activities, facility use and more.
An event planner at a resort will often hold several meetings or calls with prospective clients to understand the event’s purpose. They will then help plan the scope of the event, including timelines and costs. Event planners provide detailed information about renting the facilities and any amenities.
Event planners often hold a bachelor’s degree. However, several years of experience are necessary for resorts with extensive conference traffic.
Event planners across the field earn a median salary of $49,470. However, those who exclusively work in accommodations may make a little less: around $47,260 per year.
Hospitality Industry Job Outlook
Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the hospitality industry in 2020 and 2022, the BLS estimates the United States economy to add 1.9 million jobs in leisure and hospitality over the next decade. That’s about 23.1 percent of all 8.3 million new jobs expected over the next decade.
Breaking into the Hospitality Industry
The hospitality industry is actively having a tough time attracting workers. This could provide rank-and-file workers with the leverage they need to negotiate for higher wages and better benefits.
The best way to break into the hospitality industry is to have work experience that shows a person is willing to pay their dues. A person who plans on going to school to study hospitality-related subject matter still needs practical, hands-on experience that shows a willingness to do the work. That means doing the following:
- Working the front desk at a hotel or as a sous chef or line cook in a kitchen
- Networking with individuals in the field to make connections
- Taking internships while in college
- Not being afraid to work in places that may not be your end goals, such as retail stores, golf courses or restaurants
Top Takeaways
- The hospitality industry offers several career paths, from hotel management to food service.
- Hotel sales directors typically earn the highest salary among hospitality careers, followed closely by HR managers.
- The hospitality field is set to add more jobs than other industries over the next decade.
- The best way to break into the industry is with hands-on experience working at resorts or restaurants.
(Reporting by NPD)
