hotel manager Career Center

Hotel Manager Salary Range

The manager at any hotel has the difficult task of ensuring each and every guest expectation is met and even exceeded. This job directly impacts the success of the lodging facility itself. So the salary for the managerial roles reflects the level of responsibility given to the individuals in these positions.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for all lodging managers was approximately $46,880 in 2010. However, taking a closer look at the industry, there are a variety of managerial roles, each with different levels of responsibility within the lodging and hospitality market.

Here is a look at hotel management salary levels for some of the most common managerial positions held in the hospitality industry.

• General – This person is in charge of overseeing all aspects of the customer’s stay and guaranteeing that satisfaction levels remain high, regardless of which department is responsible. Therefore, the salary level, along with the level of responsibility, is considerably higher. The median pay level of an experienced general manager is approximately $76,000.
• Front Desk – This is the person who manages the guests’ first impressions of the lodging facility. The courtesy shown by the staff, the way in which issues are resolved and the overall appearance all fall in the lap of the front desk manager. The average pay level for this position is between $35,000 and $50,000, depending on the quality of the establishment and the experience of the employee.
• Housekeeping – Another first impression of the lodging facility is given when the guest first opens the door to his or her temporary place of rest. If the room fails to meet cleanliness expectations, the image of the facility can be tainted to a degree that is hard to get past. Therefore, the job of the housekeeping manager is just as important as that of the front desk manager, and their salaries reflect that. These managers make between $38,000 and $50,000 depending on the size and star level of the facility.
• Food and Beverage – While this position is also vital to the overall experience of the guest at the hotel, it is less crucial to determining the level of customer satisfaction. The average pay level for this position is between $35,000 and $45,000. This is dependent on the demands of the position. If only continental breakfasts are served, the pay level will be less than that of a larger hotel where full hot breakfasts are served each day.

In an industry that is expected to have slower growth rates than others, due to fewer travelers, managerial positions are becoming increasingly competitive. If this is a field you would like to enter, gaining experience and getting your foot in the door for higher-level positions will help to increase your pay level over time.