Hospitality Careers: Options, Job Titles, and Descriptions
The hospitality industry is a diverse and dynamic field encompassing hotels, restaurants, casinos, theme parks, cruise lines, and other establishments that cater to leisure and recreational needs. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your career, the world of hospitality offers a wide range of job titles and opportunities. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the most common hospitality job titles and provide descriptions of their roles within this exciting industry.
1. Concierge
A concierge plays a pivotal role in guest satisfaction by providing a wide array of services, from booking reservations to offering recommendations. They excel in customer service, problem-solving, and anticipating guests' needs. Concierges can be found in hotels, luxury residences, and upscale establishments.
Average Salary: $35,210 (per the Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Other front-of-the-house hospitality jobs include:
- Casino Host
- Cruise Ship Attendant
- Front Desk Associate
- Front Desk Supervisor
- Front Office Attendant
- Front-of-House Manager
- Gaming Dealer
- Guest Relations Manager
- Guest Services Associate
- Guest Services Supervisor
- Hotel Clerk
- Hotel Receptionist
- Reservationist
- Reservations Agent
2. Event Planner
Event planners coordinate and manage various types of events, including meetings, conferences, weddings, and more. They work closely with clients to ensure all event details are meticulously organized and executed to perfection.
Average Salary: $49,470 (per the Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Hospitality jobs in the field of event planning include:
- Events Manager
- Executive Conference Manager
- Executive Meeting Manager
- Meeting and Convention Planner
- Meeting Coordinator
- Meeting Manager
- Meeting Planner
- Meeting Specialist
- Special Events Manager
- Wedding Coordinator
3. Executive Chef
The executive chef oversees the culinary operations in hotels, restaurants, or other food-service venues. They manage kitchen staff, plan menus, and ensure the quality of food preparation. Many executive chefs have culinary training and experience.
Average Salary: $63,958 (according to PayScale)
Other jobs related to executive chef, including jobs many people have while working their way up to executive chef, include:
- Cafe Manager
- Catering Manager
- Chef
- Cook
- Food and Beverage Manager
- Kitchen Manager
- Pastry Chef
- Restaurant Manager
- Sous Chef
4. Hotel General Manager
Hotel general managers are responsible for the overall operation of a lodging facility. They manage staff, interact with guests, oversee finances, and ensure a seamless guest experience. Education and experience requirements vary, with some having a degree in hotel management, while others advance from entry-level positions.
Average Salary: $62,262 (per ZipRecruiter)
Other jobs related to the management and/or administration of a hospitality facility include:
- Back Office Assistant
- Catering Sales Manager
- Director of Hotel Sales
- Director of Marketing and Sales
- Group Sales Manager
- Guest Room Sales Manager
- Hotel Manager
- Lodging Manager
- Sales and Marketing Manager
- Shift Leader
- Shift Manager
- Spa Manager
- Wedding Sales Manager
5. Housekeeper
Housekeepers maintain cleanliness in hotels and hospitality establishments. They clean guest rooms, and common areas, and ensure that rooms are well-stocked with linens and amenities.
Average Salary: $27,471 (according to Salary.com)
Some other related housekeeping job titles include:
- Director of Housekeeping
- Director of Maintenance
- Director of Operations
- Executive Housekeeper
- Housekeeper
- Housekeeping Aide
- Housekeeping Supervisor
- Lead Housekeeper
- Maid
- Maintenance Supervisor
- Maintenance Worker
6. Porter
Porters handle baggage for guests, helping with luggage transportation. They may assist guests with their belongings, whether bringing luggage to their rooms or retrieving it upon check-out.
Average Salary: $25,093 (per ZipRecruiter)
Other support staff positions similar to that of porter and valet include:
- Baggage Porter
- Bell Attendant
- Bellhop
- Bellman
- Driver
- Parking Lot Attendant
- Valet
- Valet Attendant
- Valet Parking Attendant
7.Waiter/Waitress
Waiters and waitresses serve customers in restaurants, bars, hotels, casinos, and other food-serving establishments. They interact directly with customers taking orders, serving food and beverages, and processing payments from patrons.
Average Salary: $26,000 (per the Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Other job titles similar to waiter and waitress in the hospitality industry include:
- Back Waiter
- Banquet Server
- Barback
- Barista
- Bartender
- Busser
- Cafe Manager
- Catering Assistant
- Food Runner
- Food Server
- Head Waiter
- Host
- Hostess
- Maître d’
- Server
- Sommelier
These are just a few examples of the diverse job titles within the hospitality industry. Whether you're interested in guest services, culinary arts, event planning, or management, the hospitality sector offers a wide range of career opportunities. Whether you're starting as an entry-level server or aspiring to become an executive chef or hotel general manager, the hospitality industry welcomes individuals with a passion for hospitality and a commitment to exceptional guest experiences.
