Top 10 $25/Hour Jobs in New York City, NY

We’ve selected 10 hospitality jobs that pay $25 per hour across the United States – featuring detailed salary information, requirements and benefits — in anticipation of the launch of the OysterLink Jobs platform in September 2024.

Best $25/Hour Hospitality Jobs in NYC (Hiring Now!)

The leisure and hospitality industry in the U.S. currently employs approximately 16.9 million individuals, marking the highest employment level on record.

Number of Employees in Leisure and Hospitality Industry in US, 2013-2024

[Source: FRED]

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New York City employs over 150,000 people in the Restaurant industry alone. So, if you’re looking for job opportunities that pay $25 per hour we got you covered.

NYC Hospitality Industry Trends

During the COVID-19 crisis, the New York City restaurant industry faced major challenges, employing only 87,600 people.

However, since then, it has been steadily growing and currently employs 153,200 individuals.

[Source: FRED]

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The hospitality sector is expected to continue growing, with a projected growth rate of 22% between 2016 and 2026.

Highest-Paying Restaurant Jobs

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary in full-service restaurants across the U.S. is $37,520, while some of the highest-paid positions offer around $100,000 per year and possibly more depending on the establishment.

Some of the highest-paying restaurant jobs include:

Sommelier

• Average salary: $65,581 per year
• Education: No strict educational requirements, but a credential from a professional association or an associate degree in wine technology is advantageous.
• Experience: Prior experience in hospitality is preferred in most cases.

Executive Chef

• Average salary: $80,040 per year
• Education: An associate’s or a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts is required.
• Experience: Prior experience in a Head Chef position is typically required.

Restaurant Manager

• Average salary: $69,580 per year
• Education: A General Education Diploma (GED) or a high school diploma is required, but a degree in hospitality management can be advantageous.
• Experience: Prior managerial or supervisory experience is typically required.

Bartender

• Average salary: $37,090 per year + tips
• Education: No specific degree is required, but bartending courses in mixology can be beneficial.
• Experience: Knowledge and skills in preparing and serving drinks are required.

Kitchen Manager

• Average salary: $56,460 per year
• Education: A high school diploma, a culinary school certificate or a bachelor’s degree in restaurant management might be required.
• Experience: Prior experience in kitchen management and knowledge of health and safety regulations are required.

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Salaries for the same positions in New York City are typically higher due to the higher cost of living.

• Sommelier: $59,982 per year
• Executive Chef: $104,902 per year
• Restaurant Manager: $90,180 per year
• Bartender: $58,050 per year + tips
• Kitchen Manager: $66,760 per year

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Highest-Paying Hotel Jobs

Some of the highest-paying hotel jobs in the U.S. include:

Hotel Manager

• Average salary: $76,790 per year
• Education: A bachelor’s degree in business or hospitality management is typically required. Some employers may prefer candidates with additional certifications or degrees related to hotel management or business administration.
• Experience: Prior managerial experience in the hospitality industry is essential. This includes experience in hotel operations, guest services, staff management, budgeting, sales and marketing.

Hotel General Manager

• Average salary: $93,384 per year
• Education: A bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, hotel management, business administration or a related field is typically required. Some employers may prefer candidates with a master’s degree in hospitality or business administration, especially for larger or upscale establishments.
• Experience: Extensive experience in hospitality management, including roles like assistant general manager or director of operations.

Event Manager

• Average salary: $78,729 per year
• Education: A bachelor’s degree in communications, business, marketing, public relations, hospitality management or a related field is typically required.
• Experience: Candidates should have experience in event planning, organization and management. Prior roles in event coordination, project management or hospitality are valuable.

Event Coordinator

• Average salary: $54,362 per year
• Education: A bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, event planning, communications, marketing or a related field is typically preferred but not always required.
• Experience: Experience with coordinating logistics, working with vendors, managing budgets and providing excellent customer service is valuable.

Event Planner

• Average salary: $62,280 per year
• Education: A bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, event planning, communications, marketing or a related field is often preferred.
• Experience: Prior experience in event planning, coordination or related positions is essential.

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Here is an overview of the salaries in New York City for the same positions:

• Hotel Manager: $100,890 per year
• Hotel General Manager: $111,308 per year
• Event Manager: $75,167 per year
• Event Coordinator: $57,635 per year
• Event Planner: $87,310 per year

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Factors That Influence Restaurant Salaries

Several factors can influence salaries in the restaurant industry, including:

• Location: Salaries can vary significantly based on the region or city where the restaurant is located. Urban areas with higher costs of living generally offer higher salaries to compensate for the increased expenses.
• Type of establishment: The type of restaurant, whether it’s fine dining, casual dining, fast food or a specialty establishment, can also impact salaries. Fine dining restaurants, for example, typically pay higher salaries than fast-food chains.
• Experience and skill level: Experienced staff members with specialized skills command higher salaries. Culinary training, certifications and years of experience contribute to the overall salary levels.
• Position: Different positions within a restaurant have varying salary ranges. Executive Chefs, Managers and Sommeliers, for example, usually earn more than Servers, Hosts/Hostesses and Station Chefs.
• Tips and bonuses: Tips can significantly increase overall earnings in positions where tipping is customary, such as Servers and Bartenders. Additionally, bonuses or incentive programs offered by the restaurant can impact total compensation as well.
• Industry trends and demand: Economic conditions, industry trends and consumer demand for certain types of cuisine or dining experiences can affect salaries. Restaurants in high-demand sectors may offer higher salaries to attract and retain talent.

Is Working in the Hospitality Industry a Good Career Path?

Working in the hospitality industry can be a rewarding career path for many individuals, but whether it’s a good fit depends on personal preferences, career goals and individual circumstances.

Here are some considerations to help assess if a career in hospitality is right for you:

• Passion for service: Successful hospitality professionals are often passionate about providing excellent service and creating memorable experiences for guests. If you enjoy interacting with people, solving problems and making others feel welcome and valued, the hospitality industry may be a good fit.
• Variety of roles: The hospitality industry offers a wide range of career opportunities across various sectors, including hotels, restaurants, event planning, tourism and more. Whether you’re interested in culinary arts, hotel management, event coordination or guest services, there are diverse roles to explore and pursue.
• Advancement opportunities: With dedication, hard work and skill development, you can advance in your hospitality career and take on roles with increased responsibilities, leadership opportunities and higher salaries. Many successful hospitality professionals start in entry-level positions and work their way up through the ranks.
• Job stability and demand: Despite occasional fluctuations due to economic conditions or external factors like pandemics, the hospitality industry is generally resilient and continues to grow over the long term. There is a constant demand for skilled hospitality professionals to meet the needs of travelers, diners and event attendees.
• Creativity and innovation: Hospitality professionals have the opportunity to exercise creativity and innovation in their work, whether it’s designing new menus, planning unique events or implementing customer service initiatives. If you have a creative mindset you can thrive in roles that allow for flexibility and innovation.

Is Working in the Hospitality Industry a Right Career Path For You?

See if you have what it takes to work in the hospitality sector by taking our quiz below.