How to Become a Hospitality Manager

The hospitality industry is on the rise with 12.4 million people working in the space, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Overview & Salaries

A career in hospitality depends on which segment you are looking to work in. Let’s say you want to be in the hotel business. Chances are you’ve stayed in a hotel and can already tick off a few of the jobs you’ve witnessed there first hand. Of course, there are many behind the scenes positions (maintenance, engineering) you may not be aware of.

Here are a few positions in key hospitality industries that are worth considering:

Convention Center Manger $52,000
Casino Pit Manager $61,750
Resort Manager $41,250
Sports Arena Manager $61,200
Hotel general manager $77,100
Hotel clerk $27,100
Bellhop $23,910
Lodging Managers $46,880
Food Service Managers $48,130
Meeting and convention planner $52,600
Concierge $24,700
Executive Chef $55,650
Gaming Dealer $21,930

Places to Work

According to the American Hotel and Lodging Association, these are the top 6 places to start a career in hospitality:

  • Las Vegas, Nevada
  • New York, New York
  • San Francisco, California
  • Los Angeles, California
  • Orlando, Florida
  • Houston, Texas

Employment and Information Data for Hospitality Management

Why Hospitality Management

If you’re interested in starting a career in which you may end up in exotic locales like Bora Bora, Colombia or even your hometown, than the hospitality sector could be the place for you. Of course, you’ll need to be service oriented and enjoy working with people. If you meet these two immediate criteria continue reading. That’s because working for some of the world’s best hotels, resorts and restaurants is a big part of participating in the hospitality space.

As you begin working at a hotel in your home town with a big chain and you can write your own ticket overseas, applying for positions across the company’s many properties. Same goes for a slew of other jobs that are found in resorts, casinos and even national parks. The hospitality industry can be a tough place but it’s also extremely rewarding. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy watching people have a good time?

Recommended Hospitality Management Courses

  • Hospitality Development and Planning
  • Hospitality Facilities Management
  • Principles of Hospitality Real Estate
  • Food Service Theory and Practice
  • Human-Resource Management
  • Organizational Behavior and Leadership Skills
  • Management Communication
  • Marketing Management for Services
  • Introduction to Hotel Operations

Degrees for Hospitality Management Careers

Certificate
The undergraduate certificate programs train students on the basic of hospitality industry including: events, hotels, venue management, food service, parks and more.

Associate’s Degree
An associate’s degree provides more detailed training in the disciplines and principles of hospitality industry, while offering basic of hospitality industry including: events, hotels, venue and conference management, food service, parks and more.

Bachelor’s Degree
The four-year program offers tools and key skills in hospitality management as well as a wider curriculum of business, marketing, computer systems and general management.

Graduate’s Degree
While the graduate degree in hospitality management is offered at few schools, many programs are coveted by students seeking to land in managerial roles in some of the biggest and most important hospitality venues around the globe from five start hotels and restaurants to classic entertainment and sport venues, and casinos to name just a few.