San Antonio Hospitality Wage Growth Trends: Five-Year Analysis by Role

San Antonio Hospitality Wage Growth Trends: Key Takeaways

• Average hourly wages in San Antonio’s hospitality industry reached approximately $31.79 in mid-2025, a near 9% year-over-year increase.
• Role-specific wages vary significantly, with chefs and head cooks earning $24.22/hr and fast food workers around $11.70/hr as of 2023.
• The hospitality sector employs over 147,000 people, representing 13% of San Antonio’s workforce, with total payrolls surpassing $4.6 billion in 2023.

San Antonio’s hospitality sector has shown strong wage growth across a variety of roles over the past five years.

This article breaks down those wage trends by specific positions and explores the industry’s economic impact locally.

1. Overall Hospitality Wage Growth in San Antonio

In recent years, wages within San Antonio's hospitality industry have accelerated notably. By May 2025, the average hourly wage climbed to $31.70, marking a 9.0% increase from the previous year.

This upward trajectory continued into June 2025, where wages further rose slightly to $31.79, sustaining an annual growth rate of 8.6%.

These figures reflect the resilience of the hospitality sector and its ability to adapt in the face of economic changes, including inflationary pressures and labor market shifts.

Employers looking to understand effective hiring strategies can check our restaurant staff hiring guide to optimize their recruitment processes.

2. Role-Specific Wage Growth in San Antonio Hospitality

The wage growth, while positive on average, varies considerably by role within the hospitality industry. Here’s a breakdown from the most recent data:

Food Preparation and Serving Occupations

As of May 2024, the average hourly wage for food preparation and serving workers in San Antonio was $15.10.

Although this remains slightly below the national average of $17.32 for similar roles, it represents steady growth over prior years as employers compete for staff in a tight labor market.

Fast Food and Counter Workers

Fast food and counter workers earned an average of $11.70 per hour in May 2023.

While on the lower end of the wage spectrum, these roles provide critical entry-level employment and have seen incremental raises in response to industry demand and minimum wage increases.

More about the role and hiring tips for fast food workers is available on the fast food worker job description page.

Waiters and Waitresses

Waitstaff hourly wages averaged $12.36 in May 2023. This role is often supplemented by tips, which can substantially increase total earnings.

Wage pressure in this category reflects both competition for skilled front-of-house staff and a recovery of dining-out demand.

Employers should review our top tips for hiring servers and waiters to attract the best front-of-house talent.

Restaurant Cooks

Restaurant cooks earned an average of $12.94 per hour in May 2023, positioned slightly above waitstaff wages but below chefs.

The role demands culinary skills and experience, with wages influenced by both local labor market conditions and restaurant type.

Hiring managers can find valuable advice on the how to hire a cook spotlight page.

Chefs and Head Cooks

Higher-skilled culinary positions such as chefs and head cooks commanded average hourly wages of $24.22 as of May 2023.

This reflects the greater expertise, training, and responsibility required, as well as growing recognition within the industry of the value these roles provide.

For chefs looking to advance their careers or employers seeking to retain top culinary talent, see the guide on retaining a chef.

Also related career information is available for chef job descriptions and executive chef vs chef de cuisine differences.

First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers

Supervisory personnel in food service earned approximately $19.20 per hour in May 2023.

These managers carry operational responsibilities and often serve as a bridge between staff and higher management, justifying higher wage levels.

For advice on hiring management roles, employers may find the how to hire a restaurant manager spotlight useful.

3. Employment and Economic Impact of San Antonio Hospitality

San Antonio’s hospitality industry is a substantial part of the local economy.

With more than 147,000 people employed, it accounts for over 13% of the region’s total employment.

Furthermore, total payroll for the hospitality industry exceeded $4.6 billion in 2023, underscoring both the scale and financial importance of this sector.

Payroll growth was robust, with a 12% increase compared to the prior year, highlighting the dual impact of rising wages and expanding workforce numbers.

Employers can learn about hiring costs and strategies to better manage recruitment expenses in this growing market.

4. Factors Driving Wage Growth in San Antonio Hospitality

Several key factors contribute to the wage growth seen in San Antonio's hospitality industry:

• Labor Market Tightness: Increased demand for hospitality workers amid low unemployment rates pressures employers to raise wages to attract and retain talent.
• Cost-of-Living Adjustments: Rising living costs in the San Antonio metro area prompt employers to increase wages to maintain employee purchasing power.
• Industry Recovery and Expansion: Post-pandemic demand surges and tourism growth have increased revenue streams, enabling higher compensation.
• Skills and Responsibility Variation: Wage disparities between entry-level workers and skilled positions reflect different required qualifications and responsibilities.

5. Implications for Employers and Workers in San Antonio Hospitality

Employers must balance competitive wage offerings with cost controls to sustain profitability.

Attractive wages help reduce turnover and improve service quality, vital in hospitality where customer experience is key.

For workers, rising wages improve financial stability and career prospects within the industry, potentially encouraging skill development and advancement.

However, wage growth disparities between different roles suggest opportunities for upskilling and career pathway planning to access higher pay brackets.

Hospitality employers interested in improving retention and training can explore our server training manual template and strategies to reduce employee turnover.

6. Where to Find More Information on San Antonio Hospitality Wages

For detailed and up-to-date wage data and labor regulations affecting the hospitality sector, consider consulting the following official resources:

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages in San Antonio-New Braunfels
• Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas: San Antonio Economic Indicators
• U.S. Department of Labor: Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

Additional insights on wage growth trends in hospitality are available on our hospitality wages 2025 spotlight page.

San Antonio Hospitality Wage Growth Trends: Conclusion

The last five years have seen marked wage growth across San Antonio’s hospitality industry, reflecting broader economic expansion and evolving labor market conditions.

Role-specific wages vary widely, from fast food workers at entry-level wages to skilled chefs commanding higher pay.

With over 147,000 employees contributing to a $4.6 billion payroll, the hospitality sector remains a cornerstone of San Antonio’s economy.

Understanding these wage trends helps employers navigate labor dynamics and supports workers in making informed career decisions within the vibrant San Antonio hospitality market.

To explore career paths, workers can review the bartender career overview and employers can find tips on how to hire bartenders who excel in customer service.