Pay Scale for Hospitality

by Aurelio Locsin
Many hospitality workers are employed in hotels.

Many hospitality workers are employed in hotels. Images

The hospitality industry provides accommodations for travelers, and food and beverages to those looking for a night out. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the food and beverage sector provides many young people with their first jobs, and many businesses in hospitality draw from that labor pool. Opportunities also exist for senior citizens, first-time job hunters and part-timers. Pay scales vary by job title.

Lodging Managers

Lodging managers earned a mean $26.49 per hour, or $55,100 per year, as of May 2011, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest-paid 10 percent made under $14.20 per hour, or $29,540 per year, while the highest paid 10 percent earned over $42.95 per hour, or $89,330 per year. Lodging managers ensure that guests who check into their establishments have a comfortable and pleasant experience. They greet and register guests, enforce standards for quality, inspect guest rooms and facilities for cleanliness and appearance, and deal with guest issues. They also hire and train staff, set room rates and budgets, and coordinate material and financial resources.

Hotel Desk Clerks

In 2011, desk clerks at hotels, motels and resorts made a mean $10.46 per hour, or $21,760 per year. Wages ranged from less than $7.89 per hour or $16,420 per year, to beyond $14.36 per hour or $29,860 per year. Desk clerks act as the public face of their establishments by answering phones, making room reservations and greeting guests in the lobby. They register customers, answer questions, assign rooms and ask bellhops to carry luggage. They accept payment and credit cards, issue room keys, and explain hotel amenities and policies. They also check guests out, compute bills, make guest changes, and balance accounts.

Waiters and Waitresses

Waiters and waitresses averaged $10.05 per hour, or $20,880 per year in 2011. Their lowest pay was under $7.73 per hour or $16,070 per year, while their highest compensation was over $14.34 per hour or $29,820 per year. At restaurants and eateries, waiters and waitresses greet customers, present menus, explain specials, and answer questions about food and drink. They take orders, bring those requests to the kitchen staff, and prepare drinks. They then carry the orders from the kitchen to serve to customers. At the end of the meal, they prepare itemized checks and accept payment.


In 2011, bartenders received a mean $10.36 per hour, or $21,550 per year, with a low of $7.77 per hour, or $16,170 per year, and a high of $15.32 per hour, or $31,860 per year. Bartenders accept drink orders from customers or serving staff, mix the drinks and serve them to customers. They check the identifications of patrons to ensure that they are of legal drinking age, collect payments and operate the cash register. They also keep work areas clean, manage the operation of their bars and restock supplies.

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