Searching for the best-paying jobs in hotels and resorts across the country?
Salary is the leading factor when considering a hospitality job in the United States (U.S.), according to a recent survey conducted by industry professionals.
That’s why we’ve curated this list of the 11 best-paying jobs in hotels, including salary and education information for each.
We’ll cover what each position entails, plus break down specific salary info for hospitality jobs in New York City, Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles—U.S. cities with the highest concentration of hospitality opportunities.
11 Best-Paying Jobs in Hotels & Resorts in 2024 [U.S. Salaries]
According to a recent study, the average salary for a hospitality job in the U.S. is $50,000 and can reach $100,000 per year depending on various factors, including:
- The position
- The geographic region
- Your level of education
- Your level of experience
- Your skills or specialties
Here are the 11 best-paying hospitality jobs in 2024:
1. Spa Manager
A spa manager’s responsibilities include all activities related to the operation of a spa, including facility maintenance, procurement of supplies, hiring, training and scheduling employees, creating spa marketing campaigns and managing budgets.
- National median income: $45,000
- Non-cash benefits, such as health insurance and paid time off
- Education required: A high school diploma
2. Bartender
A bartender’s responsibilities include mixing and serving both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, providing drink recommendations, replenishing inventory and completing transactions.
Prior to selling alcohol, a bartender must also confirm that the consumer is of legal drinking age and watch for any indicators of excessive drinking.
- National median income: $48,000
- Non-cash benefits, such as health insurance and paid time off
- Education required: No specific education is required, although bartender courses at a vocational school are considered an advantage
3. Restaurant Manager
A restaurant manager is responsible for hiring, training, supervising and managing all restaurant employees, updating restaurant menus, creating budgets and developing the restaurant’s marketing strategy.
- National median income: $61,300
- Non-cash benefits, such as health insurance and paid time off
- Education required: A high school diploma or a General Education Diploma (GED). A degree in hospitality management is considered an advantage.
4. Event Manager
An event manager’s responsibilities include planning, organizing and managing business and personal events for a company or venue, such as product launches, seminars, conferences, charity balls, anniversaries or weddings.
This can also include décor, catering, guest accommodation, invitations and other responsibilities related to the event.
- National median income: $62,380
- Non-cash benefits, such as health insurance and paid time off
- Education required: A bachelor’s degree in communications, business, marketing, public relations or hospitality management
5. Director of Housekeeping
A director of housekeeping’s responsibilities include the supervision and management of all housekeeping activities in a hotel or resort, to ensure a clean and safe environment for both hospitality guests and housekeeping staff.
- National median income: $53,000
- Non-cash benefits, such as health insurance and paid time off
- Education required: A bachelor’s degree in hotel management, business management, hospitality, or a related field
6. Hotel Manager
A hotel manager’s responsibilities include the supervision and management of the entire hotel or resort operation, including guest experience and satisfaction, staff management, budget and more.
Acting as a brand ambassador, the hotel manager promotes the company’s values and culture.
- National median income: $54,000
- Non-cash benefits, such as health insurance and paid time off
- Education required: A bachelor’s degree in business or hospitality
7. Food Service Director
A food service director’s responsibilities include the supervision and management of the entire food organization process, from setting menu prices to budgeting, tracking inventory, maintaining equipment, hiring, training and scheduling staff.
- National median income: $55,000
- Non-cash benefits, such as health insurance and paid time off
- Education required: A bachelor’s degree in food and service management
8. Travel Manager
A travel manager’s responsibilities include making travel arrangements for clients, corporate executives and other staff, assisting with travel issues, planning itineraries and assessing travel services and offers.
- National median income: $63,000
- Non-cash benefits, such as health insurance and paid time off
- Education required: A bachelor’s degree in travel, tourism, or hospitality
9. Executive Chef
An executive chef’s responsibilities include the supervision of a restaurant or hotel kitchen, from timely and accurate food preparation to menu planning, drink pairing, hiring, training and coordination of staff, inventory monitoring and more.
The executive chef also coordinates with restaurant management, such as the director of restaurant operations.
- National median income: $64,000
- Non-cash benefits, such as health insurance and paid time off
- Education required: A bachelor’s degree or an associate’s degree in culinary arts
10. Master Sommelier
A sommelier’s responsibilities include the process of planning wine offerings in a hotel or a restaurant, from the creation of wine lists to managing and rotating the wine inventory, procuring wine from suppliers and vineyards and offering wine recommendations to customers and waitstaff.
- National median income: $73,000
- Non-cash benefits, such as health insurance and paid time off
- Education required: There are no specific educational requirements, but an associate’s degree in wine technology or a diploma from a professional organization like the International Sommelier Guild is considered an advantage
11. Casino Director
In hotels and resorts that offer a casino for guests, the casino director is responsible for overseeing all day-to-day operations. This includes hiring, training and scheduling employees, ensuring that gambling regulations are enforced, managing customer complaints, monitoring budgets, reviewing security footage and more.
- National median income: $79,000
- Non-cash benefits, such as health insurance and paid time off
- Education required: High school diploma or bachelor’s degree
To find hospitality jobs in your location, visit our extensive job board at OysterLink.
Highest-Paying Hospitality Jobs in New York City, NY
New York City is a hub for hospitality positions, and the average salary is greater in the city, compared to the national average.
The highest-paying hospitality jobs in New York include:
- Spa manager: $53,000
- Bartender: $57,000
- Restaurant manager: $60,000
- Event manager: $61,000
- Director of housekeeping: $63,000
- Hotel manager: $64,000
- Food service director: $65,000
- Travel manager: $75,000
- Executive chef: $77,000
- Sommelier: $89,000
- Casino director: $94,000
The salaries for hospitality positions in New York City are approximately 19% greater than the national average for the same position.
Highest-Paying Hospitality Jobs in Miami, FL
Miami is a worldwide tourist destination, thanks to its warm weather, white sand beaches and diverse culture.
The highest-paying hospitality jobs in Miami include:
- Spa manager: $46,000
- Bartender: $48,000
- Restaurant manager: $51,000
- Event manager: $52,000
- Director of housekeeping: $53,000
- Hotel manager: $55,000
- Food service director: $56,000
- Travel manager: $64,000
- Executive chef: $65,000
- Sommelier: $73,000
- Casino director: $80,000
Salaries for hospitality positions in Miami are about equal to the national average.
Highest-Paying Hospitality Jobs in Chicago, IL
Millions of tourists and business professionals alike travel to Chicago every year to experience its food, music, architecture and diverse culture.
The highest-paying hospitality jobs in Chicago include:
- Spa manager: $50,000
- Bartender: $53,000
- Restaurant manager: $56,000
- Event manager: $57,000
- Director of housekeeping: $58,000
- Hotel manager: $60,000
- Food service director: $61,000
- Travel manager: $70,000
- Executive chef: $72,000
- Sommelier: $81,000
- Casino director: $88,000
The hospitality jobs in Chicago offer an 11% higher salary, compared to the national average across the rest of the U.S.
Highest-Paying Hospitality Jobs in Los Angeles, CA
As one of the world’s most famous cities, Los Angeles is a bucket list destination for many across the globe.
The highest-paying hospitality jobs in Los Angeles include:
- Spa manager: $51,000
- Bartender: $54,000
- Restaurant manager: $57,000
- Event manager: $58,000
- Director of housekeeping: $59,000
- Hotel manager: $61,000
- Food service director: $62,000
- Travel manager: $71,000
- Executive chef: $72,000
- Sommelier: $82,000
- Casino director: $89,000
When compared to the national average, Los Angeles hospitality salaries are about 12% higher.
Discover salary trends and job opportunities
What Is a Hospitality Job?
A hospitality job is a position that involves receiving and entertaining visitors and guests, typically in relation to the tourism industry.
Covering several sectors, such as accommodation, food and beverage, event planning, entertainment and travel, a hospitality job is typically performed in:
- Hotels, including seasonal, resort, recreational or casino hotels
- Bed and breakfast inns
- Tourist cabins
- Motels
- Hostels
Some hospitality jobs, such as waiters, restaurant managers, receptionists or spa employees, have direct contact with customers. While you’re here, check out our list of best-paying restaurant jobs.
Others, such as accountants, marketers, engineers or maintenance specialists, work behind the scenes and offer support for the day-to-day operation of the hospitality facility.
How to Find a High-Paying Hospitality Job with OysterLink
After a setback following the global pandemic, the hospitality industry is once again thriving. As travel continues to increase across the globe, the need for hospitality employees also continues to grow.
- Many positions in hospitality offer:
- A competitive salary
- Career flexibility and work-life balance
- Opportunities for growth
- Health insurance and related benefits
OysterLink is a coming-soon hospitality career network that aims to overcome the challenge of staff shortage in hospitality and host a connected community for a better future.
If you are a restaurant or hotel operator, OysterLink can help you find a quality workforce and build valuable partnerships to continue to grow your business.
If you are a hospitality professional, OysterLink will help you find your next employer in the hotel or restaurant business.
Simple, effective and cost-efficient, OysterLink prioritizes human value and recognition to establish long-term relationships between hospitality employers and employees.
