We used the latest data and insights to identify the highest paying hospitality jobs so that you can learn and earn more.
Are you looking for a job in hospitality? Do you want to make a career out of it? The hospitality industry is booming. There are plenty of high-paying jobs just waiting for you. But which ones are the best?
We’ve put together this list of the best-paid hospitality jobs, so you can see the options.
We sourced these jobs from various reliable sources, including the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and Payscale. This blog post also includes some information on what each job entails, so you can get an idea of how they work.
Let’s get started!
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Table of Contents
#10. Conference Concierge
How much do they get paid?
- Source: ZipRecruiter
- Low Range: $20,500 per year
- High Range: $75,500 per year
- Median Pay: $49,763 per year
What do they do?
Conference concierges help plan and execute events. They manage the logistics of conferences, conventions, and trade shows by doing the following:
- Securing venues,
- Booking travel arrangements for attendees,
- Ordering food and beverages for meetings and banquets,
- Setting up equipment such as projectors or microphones.
If a meeting is held in a hotel or resort, they may also coordinate with the hotel’s management staff to ensure everything runs smoothly.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Conference concierges usually have a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management or event planning. They must be able to manage multiple projects at once, think quickly, and make decisions based on their professional expertise.
Some concierges have worked their way up from the ground floor and can show experience in event planning or customer service.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Conference concierges are employed by hotels, resorts, convention centers, event planners, and meeting venues. They may be hired on a full-time or part-time basis.
What is the best way to get this job?
Conference concierges often get their start by working as hotel or resort receptionists or front desk clerks. They may also be hired after volunteering with an event planner.
Therefore, you may want to gain experience by working with an event planner or convention center in a junior role.
Should you become a conference concierge?
#9. Sommelier
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $37,000 per year
- High Range: $77,000 per year
- Median Pay: $53,698 per year
What do they do?
Sommeliers are wine experts who work in restaurants, hotels, and other establishments that serve alcoholic beverages. They are responsible for helping customers select wines and spirits to enhance their dining experience.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
This job requires a high level of wine knowledge.
Sommeliers must also be capable of communicating this knowledge easily to their clients. While a degree in wine may not be required, many sommeliers have a degree in culinary arts, as well as relevant work experience.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Restaurants and hotels are the most common employers of sommeliers. Many sommeliers also work for wine wholesalers, distributors, or vineyards.
What is the best way to get this job?
A good way to get a job as a sommelier is to start working as a server or bartender at a restaurant. This will give you the opportunity to gain experience in the field and make connections with other sommeliers.
Once you have experience under your belt, apply for positions at fine dining establishments and hotels.
What’s it like to be a sommelier?
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#8. Massage Therapist
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $34,000 per year
- High Range: $94,000 per year
- Median Pay: $56,131 per year
What do they do?
Massage therapists use their hands to manipulate a client’s body’s muscles and soft tissues. They work on people who want to relax their bodies and minds.
Massage therapists can work in private treatment rooms at hospitals, clinics, or spas. They may also set up booths at fairs or festivals to provide massages.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Massage therapy is a relatively new career, so there are no specific requirements for training. Most states require therapists to have at least 500 hours of training before working as licensed massage therapists.
You can get this training in high schools and community colleges that offer health programs. You may also be able to earn an associate degree in massage therapy or a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Massage therapists are in demand, especially at spas and resorts. Many people get massages during vacations and holidays, so you’ll have plenty of work opportunities. You can also find work at hospitals and clinics that offer on-call massage therapy services.
What is the best way to get this job?
You can start by taking classes in massage therapy. These classes will teach you how to provide various types of massage therapy and give you the skills needed to succeed in this field.
Once you’ve earned your certification, look for employment opportunities at spas, resorts, or on-call services that offer massage therapy.
What’s it like to be a massage therapist?
#7. Event Manager
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $40,000 per year
- High Range: $83,000 per year
- Median Pay: $56,183 per year
What do they do?
Hotel event managers are responsible for planning, coordinating, and managing conferences, weddings, and other events at a hotel or resort. They also work closely with the catering staff to ensure that the food and drink provided during an event meets their standards.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Event managers typically have a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, event planning, or marketing. They also have strong communication skills and enjoy working with people.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Hotels, resorts, and conference centers are hiring event managers to plan and coordinate conferences, weddings, and other functions.
What is the best way to get this job?
Once you meet the qualifications and have the necessary skills, you need to find an open position. To do this, you can start by looking for job openings at hotels and resorts in your area. You can also apply directly to a conference center or event planner.
Should you become an event manager?
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#6. Food Service Director
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $40,000 per year
- High Range: $89,000 per year
- Median Pay: $59,778 per year
What do they do?
The food service director is in charge of a hotel or resort’s kitchen and dining facilities. This person oversees all food preparation, cooking, and serving activities at an establishment. They also make sure that all food meets health standards and federal regulations.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
To become a food service director, you usually need at least an associate’s degree in culinary arts or related fields. It’s also helpful to have experience working in a restaurant or hotel kitchen. You should be familiar with food safety standards, as well as all federal regulations related to the industry.
Who’s hiring for this job?
The hospitality sector is one of the largest employers in the world. You can find food service directors working at hotels, resorts, and restaurants.
What is the best way to get this job?
You can start by getting a culinary arts degree. After that, you should work your way up through the ranks of the food service industry. You can also pursue an associate’s degree in hospitality management. This will give you more experience and show prospective employers that you have a passion for the field.
How do you become a food service director?
#5. Guest Relations Manager
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $43,000 per year
- High Range: $96,000 per year
- Median Pay: $63,708 per year
What do they do?
A guest relations manager is responsible for the overall satisfaction of their hotel’s guests. They make sure that each guest feels welcome and comfortable throughout their stay. These managers also handle any issues that may arise during the stay.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
A bachelor’s degree in hospitality management is the minimum requirement for most guest relations manager positions.
However, you might be able to get a job with an associate’s degree or even experience in the field. This job requires a lot of interpersonal skills since you will be dealing with people from all walks of life on a daily basis.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Hotel, resort, and hospitality management companies are usually the ones that hire for this position. They may also be able to offer opportunities for advancement within their company.
What is the best way to get this job?
If you want to be a guest relations manager, one of the best ways to get your foot in the door is by volunteering at hotels and resorts.
You can also apply for an internship with a hotel chain or resort management company. These will give you valuable experience and help you build your resume before you graduate from college.
What’s it like to be a guest relations manager?
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#4. Executive Chef
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $45,000 per year
- High Range: $92,000 per year
- Median Pay: $63,864 per year
What do they do?
An executive chef is a high-level chef responsible for creating menus and overseeing the entire kitchen staff at a restaurant, hotel, or cruise ship.
They typically have many years of experience in their field. These professionals may even have worked as lower-level chefs before being promoted to this role.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
A degree in culinary arts and professional experience is necessary for this job. In many cases, an executive chef also has a culinary degree from an accredited college. However, some chefs don’t have formal culinary degrees. Instead, they may be self-taught or have earned their training on the job.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Executive chefs are employed in different settings. They can work for restaurants, hotels, cruise ships, and catering companies. These head chefs may also work in private homes or schools. If a chef is self-employed, he or she may own a restaurant or food truck.
What is the best way to get this job?
If you want to become an executive chef, it’s important to start working in the culinary field as soon as possible. This will allow you to gain the experience needed for this job. If you don’t have any formal training or degrees, consider taking classes at a community college or culinary school.
What’s it like to be an executive chef?
#3. Hotel General Manager
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $51,000 per year
- High Range: $120,000 per year
- Median Pay: $77,344 per year
What do they do?
Hotel general managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a hotel. They oversee staff, ensure that guests are happy, and manage budgets. Their roles may also include:
- Hiring and training employees,
- Managing payroll,
- Ordering supplies and equipment,
- Making sure that the property meets industry standards.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Most hotel general managers have degrees in hospitality management. They also have experience working in hotels and restaurants, which is often required.
While a bachelor’s degree is often sufficient for entry-level hotel general manager positions, many employers prefer candidates who have a master’s degree in a related field.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Hospitality companies such as hotels, and resorts are always looking for qualified general managers. You can also work as a regional restaurant manager.
What is the best way to get this job?
The best way to get a job as a hotel manager is to get your foot in the door and gain experience in the industry. You can do this by working as an intern or a volunteer at a hotel, restaurant, or resort.
Should you become a hotel general manager?
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#2. Travel Manager
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $53,000 per year
- High Range: $134,000 per year
- Median Pay: $83,499 per year
What do they do?
Travel managers are responsible for planning and booking travel arrangements for their clients. They also handle any issues that may arise during travel. For example, they might find alternative flights if a flight is canceled or provide transportation to the airport if someone needs it.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Travel managers typically have a bachelor’s degree in a related field. For example, someone interested in travel might pursue a business administration or management degree. Some employers may also prefer candidates with at least one year of experience working in the travel industry.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Travel managers can work for travel agencies, hotels, resorts, or airlines. Some employers may hire candidates on an as-needed basis. Other companies may have full-time positions available year-round.
What is the best way to get this job?
Job seekers can find travel manager jobs on such boards as Monster and Indeed. You may also network with friends who work in the travel industry and ask if they know of any openings.
Should you become a travel manager?
#1. Lodging Manager
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $55,000 per year
- High Range: $132,000 per year
- Median Pay: $84,897 per year
What do they do?
Lodging managers are responsible for managing hotels and resorts. They ensure that their establishment is well-maintained and that guests have a good experience. Lodging managers also handle employee training, oversee daily operations, and make sure the business runs smoothly.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
You can typically get a degree in hotel management or hospitality management to prepare for this job. If you already have a business degree, consider taking courses in accounting, marketing, and human resources management to help you advance your career.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Lodging managers can work for hotels or resorts as well as travel agencies, cruise lines, convention centers, and destination management companies.
What is the best way to get this job?
Begin by networking with people in the travel industry. You may be able to find an internship or volunteer at a hotel, resort, or travel agency. But first, you should get a degree in hotel and hospitality management from an accredited program.
Should you become a lodging manager?
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Conclusion
As you can see, the hospitality industry offers a wide range of career options that can be rewarding in terms of income, lifestyle, and work/life balance. If you’re looking for a new hospitality job, consider one of these best-paying jobs.
There are many hospitality jobs that we didn’t mention. You can also become a food and beverage director or an executive pastry chef.
We hope this article has helped you to better understand these jobs and the skills required for them. If you have any questions about this subject, feel free to comment below.
