Top 10 Highest Paying Careers in Hospitality
This list of top 10 highest paying careers in hospitality include management positions, as well as jobs interacting directly with guests. Check out these lucrative career options to find out about opportunities in an industry which is all about making visitors feel welcome.
#1 Property General Manager (Casino)
Job Description
A casino general manager is well compensated, and for good reason. The person holding this position is responsible for making sure that all aspects of the property are working effectively, including operations, forecasting, budgeting, staffing and customer satisfaction.
Salary
The median annual salary for this position is $192,653 per year.
Special Skills and Training
The minimum level of education required for this job is a hospitality management degree. As this is a senior position, a candidate would need to have at least 12 years of experience in the industry to be considered.
#2 Regional Chef
Job Description
A regional chef uses his or her culinary talents to create new menu offerings for several restaurants in a geographic region. Job duties also include training chefs in preparing meals and appropriate portion sizes. The regional chef also negotiates contracts, and purchases food and restaurant supplies.
Salary
The median annual salary for a regional chef is $111,972.
Special Skills and Training
A Bachelor’s degree from a culinary school is required for this position, as well as a minimum of a decade of practical experience.
#3 Hotel Manager
Job Description
A hotel manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the property. His or her job includes ensuring that guests enjoy their stay, as well as dealing with budgets, cost of operations, general maintenance and staffing.
Salary
A hotel manager can expect to make a median salary of $95,048 per year.
Special Skills and Training
A person who wants to become a hotel manager would start by earning a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management or Hotel and Restaurant Management. Most employers would be looking for candidates with at least seven years of experience in the industry when hiring for a hotel manager position.
#4 Regional Restaurant Manager
Job Description
A person hired as a regional restaurant manager is responsible for supervising operations of several locations in a specific geographic area, as well as recruiting and training managers for each one.
Salary
Regional restaurant managers earn a median salary of $81,798 per annum.
Special Skills and Training
A Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and Restaurant Management or Hotel and Restaurant Management and several years of experience are the minimum requirements for this career choice.
#5 Head of Housekeeping
Job Description
The head of housekeeping is responsible for running this department at a hotel or large resort, including maintaining stock of linen supplies and household equipment, ordering products and ensuring that proper hygiene standards are met.
Salary
The median annual salary for this job is $75,805 per year.
Special Skills and Training
Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have an Associate or Bachelor’s degree for this type of position, while others are looking for people with general management or housekeeping experience for available jobs.
#6 Executive Pastry Chef
Job Description
An executive pastry chef is responsible for running a commercial kitchen which prepares a variety of breads and desserts. This chef develops new recipes and supervises the work of other pastry chefs.
Salary
The median salary for this job is $59,027 per year.
Special Skills and Training
At the executive level, a pastry chef will have a minimum of five years of experience, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in pastry arts from a culinary school.
#7 Sommelier
Job Description
A sommelier is a wine expert and he or she takes charge of the condition of an establishment’s wine cellar and the products that it contains. This job also entails working with the chef to choose wines to complement particular menu items and making suggestions to customers on request.
Salary
A sommelier earns a salary of approximately $50,467 per year (median figure).
Special Skills and Training
Although there is no formal training required to be a sommelier, most employers are looking for candidates who have completed official courses and obtained a diploma or certificate. The International Sommelier Guild offers a diploma and a Master’s degree program, which leads to the title of “Grand Sommelier.”
#8 Meeting, Convention and Event Planner
Job Description
Meeting, convention and event planners are responsible for bringing together all the elements required for a successful function and making it look flawless. Duties include negotiating contracts, reviewing and suggesting menu options, creating room layouts for different types of events and interacting with clients and vendors.
Salary
The median salary rate for this job is $45,260 per year.
Special Skills and Training
There is no minimum educational requirement for this job. A Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management or an Associate degree in Hospitality and/or Catering would be helpful for people interested in planning events for a living.
#9 Catering Manager
Job Description
The catering manager plans and oversees food and beverage service for events at a facility. This job involves training and scheduling catering staff, assisting with menu selection and conveying customer needs to other personnel.
Salary
A person working as a catering manager can expect to earn a median salary of $42,289 annually.
Special Skills and Training
Along with a degree in management, a person working in this career would need a minimum of two years of experience in the field.
#10 Exercise Instructor
Job Description
Exercise instructors are hired by hotels, resorts and cruise lines to teach classes in Pilates, martial arts, aerobics, spinning, cardio or yoga. The work involves planning activities for different age groups and needs, setting up the room before class and ensuring that the equipment is clean and in good working order.
Salary
Instructors earn a median salary of $31, 090 per annum, but may be eligible to receive tips from guests as part of their compensation.
Special Skills and Training
A person working in this career needs to have current First Aid and CPR certificates. Some fitness instructors gain the knowledge necessary for the job by participating in several fitness courses, while others have completed specialized instructor programs and hold specialized certificates or a degree in health or fitness.
