Hospitality Industry Jobs
Many people find the hospitality industry attractive because it often involves working at a hotel or resort in a beautiful or exotic location. However, not all hospitality work fits this description. Some motels and/or hotels mainly attract a business clientele or overnight travelers on the road.
Hospitality workers are employed by hotels, motels, resorts, or other attractions to meet the needs of guests. Most employees must work one-on-one with guests, and so should enjoy daily contact with customers. This can include dealing with irate or complaining guests.
The work environment for hospitality workers is good, although it is often a 24/7 industry. Staff members may be required to work night shifts and/or on weekends. If you work at ski resort or beach resort, then the perks can be incomparable.
Most hospitality workers work inside the resort or hotel, but some workers, especially those at attractions like amusement parks, golf courses, etc. may have to spend considerable time outside, even when the weather is not ideal. There are a wide range of jobs in the hospitality industry, including jobs with cruise lines which are profiled on JobSites411 too.
Here is a list of some of the most common jobs you’ll see available:
- Bartender
- Bellperson
- Busser
- Cashier
- Catering manager
- Chef
- Cook
- Customer service manager
- Dishwasher
- Expediter
- Front desk clerk
- Guest services coordinator
- Guest services manager
- Housekeeping manager
- Housekeeping supervisor
- Kitchen manager
- Maintenance/groundskeeper
- Restaurant manager
- Server
Now that you know some of the most common jobs, here is more information which could help you decide whether a job in the hospitality industry is right for you.
Employment Outlook
Prepare yourself to compete with many interested applicants if you are interested in obtaining a job in the hospitality industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (pre COVID-19 Pandemic projections), this industry will only see a 4% increase in the number of jobs by the year 2025. The Bureau says that most job opportunities that will arise will be entry level positions, such as servers, because these jobs experience the highest rate of turnover. That doesn’t mean there won’t be opportunities for people looking for management positions, but you may find yourself competing against several applicants.
There is one exception to this statistic, according to the Bureau, and that is for the position of desk clerk.
Salary Outlook
When it comes to salaries, the pay ranges in the industry vary greatly between positions. Professional and management jobs pay higher salaries than entry level or nonprofessional positions. And even among nonprofessional jobs, a wide range of salaries exists. The more highly skilled workers, such as maintenance and groundskeepers earn a higher hourly rate than housekeepers.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage for maintenance and groundskeeping workers is approximately $18.00, while waitstaff members earn about half that wage, at $9.00 per hour. Managers, on the other hand, earn an average annual salary of about $49,000 (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics), while desk clerks earn an average annual salary of approximately $21,000.
Education and Training Requirements
Entry level and unskilled workers such as housekeepers, waitstaff and kitchen personnel are usually not required to have more than a high school diploma. However, some high end or luxury resorts may look for employees who have had some formal training in the hospitality industry through technical or career schools, or who have five or more years experience in the industry. Skilled workers must have previous experience or certifications in their industry.
Hospitality employers do expect managers or other professionals to have a degree, whether it is an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree, in hospitality management, business, or a related field. To obtain a manager’s position, employers often also look for candidates who have experience in the field or on the job. Most hospitality workers, whether skilled or unskilled, have the ability to receive certification through hospitality associations. These can give you a competitive edge in the job market.
The hospitality industry can sometimes be intense or stressful, when hotels or restaurants are full of guests and meeting their needs can be challenging. It is a very people-intensive field, and if working with people is not appealing to you then you should look at other industries for career ideas. However, if you do enjoy working with people, and like the idea of working at a hotel or resort, the hospitality industry could be a great career choice for you.
