New York, NY — An analysis of 178,967 hospitality jobs posted on OysterLink between October and December 2025 shows which roles are driving hiring demand as the industry heads into 2026. The data covers job postings across restaurants, hotels, food service businesses and related hospitality sectors in the U.S.
The results show that employers are hiring most heavily for roles that keep daily operations running and directly affect guest experience.
Table 1. Top 15 Most In-Demand Hospitality Jobs for 2026
| Rank | Job Title | Job Posts | % of Total Job Posts |
| 1 | Delivery Driver | 8,683 | 4.85% |
| 2 | Porter | 8,495 | 4.75% |
| 3 | Cook | 7,978 | 4.46% |
| 4 | Cashier | 6,757 | 3.78% |
| 5 | Kitchen Manager | 6,482 | 3.62% |
| 6 | Housekeeper | 6,124 | 3.42% |
| 7 | Concierge | 5,646 | 3.15% |
| 8 | Line Cook | 5,645 | 3.15% |
| 9 | Barista | 5,540 | 3.10% |
| 10 | Fast Food Worker | 5,373 | 3.00% |
| 11 | Baker | 5,291 | 2.96% |
| 12 | Host | 4,906 | 2.74% |
| 13 | Dishwasher | 4,799 | 2.68% |
| 14 | Receptionist | 4,765 | 2.66% |
| 15 | Restaurant Manager | 4,725 | 2.64% |
Together, these 15 roles make up about 48% of all hospitality jobs posted on OysterLink in Q4 2025, showing where most hiring activity is happening.
“Looking at nearly 179,000 job postings, it’s clear that hospitality hiring going into 2026 is focused on core roles,” said Milos Eric, Co-Founder and General Manager of OysterLink. “Restaurants and hotels are hiring for positions that keep service moving and support their teams day to day. These roles remain the most in demand.”
For job seekers, the data shows where opportunities are easiest to find. Roles like Delivery Driver, Cook, Barista, Line Cook and Housekeeper continue to offer steady demand, faster hiring timelines and more openings across different locations. These positions may also provide clearer entry points into the hospitality industry in 2026.
For employers, the data highlights where competition for workers remains highest. High-volume roles make up nearly half of all postings, meaning hiring challenges are likely to continue. Businesses may need to focus on clearer job descriptions, competitive pay and faster hiring processes to secure talent in these roles.
About OysterLink
OysterLink is a job platform for restaurant and hospitality professionals, reaching over 400,000 monthly visitors. The platform connects talent with opportunities across the U.S., including top-paying Porter jobs in New York City and Cook jobs in New York City.
OysterLink also publishes data-driven trend reports, industry insights and interviews with hospitality leaders. To explore more labor market data or post a job, visit www.oysterlink.com.
Media Contact
Ana Demidova
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