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Older Workers in Hospitality: Key Takeaways
- Workers aged 55+ now account for ~14% of hospitality employees in the United States.
- Workers aged 55–64 typically stay in the same job for about 9.6 years on average.
- As younger workers increasingly depart, employers are shifting strategies toward recruiting mature professionals.
Older workers in hospitality are reshaping hiring strategies as employers tap into their potential amid high turnover and staffing challenges.
In this article, we'll explore how this demographic shift is reshaping restaurant and hotel hiring strategies.
Older Workers in Hospitality on the Rise Across the Industry
According to the latest BLS data, the proportion of older workers categorized under the Accommodation and Food Services sector has inched upward.
In 2024, roughly 2.13 million hospitality employees were aged 55 or above, accounting for ~14% of the industry’s workforce.
Source: Deloitte
While the percentage might seem small, it comes against the backdrop of an overall hospitality workforce that is still rebuilding from pandemic losses.
As younger workers left en masse during the pandemic, many employers welcomed back veteran staff and even actively recruited senior workers to fill the gaps.
Turnover Reaches New Highs And Older Workers in Hospitality Adapt
Parallel to this greying of the workforce is another reality: historically high turnover. Hotels and restaurants are grappling with record quit rates and employee exits.
The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) shows that nearly 690,000 separations occurred in the hospitality sector in January 2025 alone.
By comparison, during the peak of the “Great Resignation” in 2021, about 6.8% of hospitality workers quit in a single month, double the national quit rate.
This translates to a turnover rate of around 74%, which significantly outpaces the 12–15% average in other industries.
Why Employers Value Older Workers in Hospitality as Seasoned Talent
Experienced employees tend to be dependable, steady and committed to their roles, showing less inclination to frequently seek new opportunities compared to younger workers.
In fact, BLS data shows that workers aged 55–64 have a median tenure of 9.6 years — substantially longer than that of younger employees.
Moreover, they frequently excel in positions that prioritize emotional intelligence, due to their ability to navigate complex situations with maturity.
From the employers’ perspective, hiring older staff can be a stabilizing force. Experienced workers often require less training and they also bring a level of professionalism that can elevate service quality.
Hospitality leaders note that older associates tend to take pride in their jobs and can handle customer interactions with patience and courtesy developed over years.
What This Trend Means for Older Workers in Hospitality Job Seekers Aged 55+
Age-friendly hiring initiatives are creating more pathways for over-50 candidates to find hospitality jobs that suit their needs. Unlike in decades past, mature job seekers today may find less bias in hospitality hiring.
In fact, the vast majority of employers now recognize workers aged 55+ as a valuable resource for mentoring and institutional knowledge.
Source: Business Insider
Many hospitality jobs offer flexible or part-time schedules, which can be ideal for seniors who want to remain active in the workforce but also maintain work-life balance.
Older Workers in Hospitality Creating More Age-Diverse Workforce
An aging workforce and hiring crunch are driving a new dynamic: restaurants and hotels staffed by a mix of Gen Z, millennials, Gen X and baby boomers working side by side.
This multi-generational shift could be a long-term boon for the industry.
Analysts predict that by 2031, workers aged 55+ will make up over a quarter of the workforce in many countries.
In U.S. hospitality, even a modest increase in older workers helps fill critical vacancies and preserve service quality amid high turnover.
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Written by Lidija Misic
Lidija holds a BA in English Language and has lived in five different countries, where she has worked in various roles, including as a flight attendant, teacher, writer and recruiter. Her biggest passion is crafting great content and reading. She is particularly passionate about creating punchy copy that inspires people to make positive changes in their lives.
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