16 Best Hotel Jobs in the US
The hospitality industry in the United States is currently valued at over $185 billion. Although it has struggled in the past few years, it’s growing steadily again and is poised to increase in value by 5.5 percent by 2027.
Are you interested in hotel jobs in the USA — including hotel jobs in the USA with visa sponsorship? If so, this guide features some valuable information that can help you select the most suitable position.
Below, you’ll discover the best hotel jobs in the US, complete with USA hotel jobs salary details and tips on how to prepare for these kinds of jobs
Common Types of Hotel Jobs in the US
From luxury hotels and resorts to smaller boutique hotels, there are plenty of hospitality businesses throughout the United States that need to fill a wide range of positions. The following are some of the most common kinds of hotel jobs for which you might apply:
Food and beverage positions are some of the most abundant jobs available in the hotel and hospitality industry. Many hotels include restaurants and bars, so it makes sense that there would be a high demand for waitstaff, chefs, kitchen staff, bartenders, and other key employees.
Housekeeping staff play a pivotal role in maintaining the cleanliness and comfort of guest rooms and common areas. Without housekeeping staff, the hotel will quickly deteriorate and bad reviews will begin.
As such, they ensure that rooms are impeccably cleaned, well-stocked, and presented attractively for each guest. Housekeeping staff require strong attention to detail, efficiency, and commitment to maintaining high standards.
Hotel guests expect the building to be in pristine condition at all times. That means maintenance and cleaning staff are crucial to the hotel’s success. These individuals help to keep the hotel running smoothly and ensure all guests have a positive and safe experience.
There are also plenty of management opportunities in the hotel business. There are a lot of moving parts in even smaller hotels, so a strong management staff, including hotel managers, accounting managers, and IT managers, are needed to make sure all guests’ and employees’ needs are met.
What Are the Best Hotel Jobs in the USA?
You have many options worth considering if you want to work in the hotel industry in the United States, from entry-level cleaning positions to higher-level management roles.
If you’re still unsure of which position is a good fit for you, this detailed list can help. Below are 16 of the best hotel jobs in the USA, with USA hotel jobs salary information included:
The waitstaff at a restaurant takes people’s orders, delivers those orders to the kitchen staff, and brings the prepared food and drinks back to the guests’ tables. They must do this efficiently while also being friendly and personable with the guests to provide a positive experience.
Salary Range: $25,356 to $65,004 per year
Average Salary: $32,016 per year
The restaurant manager oversees the waitstaff and other members of the restaurant staff. They typically handle tasks like hiring, scheduling, supervising, and addressing customers’ questions or complaints. They may jump in and assist with different roles, such as serving food, as needed as well.
Salary Range: $35,235 to $54,027 per year
Average Salary: $46,980 per year
The kitchen staff works behind the scenes to deliver delicious food and beverages to the restaurant’s guests. In addition to preparing and plating food, they must also work efficiently to ensure orders go out in a timely manner and guests aren’t left waiting too long for their meals or drinks.
Salary Range: $25,350 to $36,733 per year
Average Salary: $29,250 per year
The chef is the powerhouse of the kitchen. They assign tasks to members of the kitchen staff, ensure food is prepared to their standards, and assist with developing the restaurant’s menu and specials. They may also aid in hiring members of the kitchen staff since they work so closely with them.
Salary Range: $38,682 to $59,312 per year
Average Salary: $51,576 per year
A porter or bellhopper is responsible for taking a guest’s luggage to their room after they check in. They work quickly to minimize the time between arrival, and when the luggage is dropped off, so they must be organized, efficient, and able to multitask.
Salary Range: $19,000 to $59,000 per year
Average Salary: $34,038 per year
The receptionist works in the front office or lobby of a hotel — specifically at the front desk. They welcome guests when they arrive at the hotel, summon bellhops to collect bags, and guide guests through the check-in process. They may also answer questions about the hotel or the area, so they must be knowledgeable about these topics.
Salary Range: $24,888 to $37,056 per year
Average Salary: $29,256 per year
The concierge is another member of the front office staff at a hotel. They are responsible for providing superior customer service by responding to guests’ questions, concerns, and complaints promptly and compassionately. They also make recommendations for restaurants, activities, attractions, excursions, etc.
Salary Range: $26,328 to $42,900 per year
Average Salary: $30,216 per year
The maintenance staff keeps all the hotel’s inner workings (appliances, HVAC units, plumbing, etc.) functioning correctly, performing repairs and routine maintenance as needed. Even though they don’t have as many interactions with the guests as some employees, they are still integral to the guests having a good experience staying at the hotel.
Salary Range: $54,720 to $83,904 per year
Average Salary: $72,960 per year
Similar to the maintenance staff, housekeepers also play a critical role in providing a good hotel experience. After all, who will return to or leave a positive review for a hotel that isn’t well-cleaned? They assist with room cleaning and cleaning of general areas like the lobby and kitchen.
Salary Range: $30,879 to $47,347 per year
Average Salary: $41,172 per year
The housekeeping manager oversees the entire housekeeping staff. Like the restaurant manager, they supervise all housekeeping employees, ensure they perform quality work and handle scheduling, interviewing, and hiring tasks. They also assist with cleaning duties when required.
Salary Range: $32,000 to $64,000 per year
Average Salary: $46,017 per year
The hotel manager oversees all aspects of the hotel, including its myriad staff members in various departments. They handle day-to-day and big-picture operations, meet with other managers and leaders to discuss issues as they arise and respond to customer questions and complaints when needed.
Salary Range: $54,996 to $110,004 per year
Average Salary: $66,996 per year
Like other businesses, hotels need marketing teams — led by marketing managers — to promote their services and encourage people to stay there when visiting a specific area. The marketing manager helps to develop and execute marketing campaigns, tracking progress and making adjustments as needed to produce results.
Salary Range: $63,117 to $96,779 per year
Average Salary: $84,156 per year
The sales manager and the team they oversee work very closely with the marketing team to promote the hotel and get people interested in visiting. They assist with market and competitor research and carry out specific promotions meant to draw in new guests.
Salary Range: $42,345 to $64,929 per year
Average Salary: $56,460 per year
The accounting manager oversees all issues related to a hotel’s finances. They assist with budgeting, tax preparation and filing, financial analysis, and projections for the upcoming quarters/years.
Salary Range: $38,574 to $59,146 per year
Average Salary: $51,432 per year
Human resources managers are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe and positive work environment for all employees. They do this through various initiatives, safety training, inclusion training, and more. They also assist with hiring, onboarding, and, in some cases, firing employees.
Salary Range: $46,000 and $188,000 per year
Average Salary: $74,178 per year
The information technology (IT) manager handles all the technological aspects of the hotel.
For example, the IT manager is responsible for keeping the internet connection, scheduling software, and other day-to-day tools functioning correctly. They also address tech issues as they arise and ensure the hotel has sufficient cybersecurity measures in place.
Salary Range: $75,933 to $116,430 per year
Average Salary: $101,244 per year
How to Apply for a Hotel Job in the US?
It doesn’t matter if you’re applying for USA hotel jobs with a free visa or if you’re a resident looking for work in the hospitality industry. Either way, the following tips will help you prepare for your first day (and beyond) working in a hotel in the USA:
Learn About the Hotel
You likely did some initial research into the hotel before your interview. However, don’t let your learning stop there.
Doing some more digging into the hotel’s culture, mission, and values will help you know what to expect on your first day. It also provides insight into how you can be a stellar employee.
Prepare Essential Documents
Nobody wants to be scrambling around looking for their ID or tax documents on their first day of work. The night before, gather all essential documents (when you received a job offer, you likely got a list of documents to bring with you on Day 1) and put them in a folder or binder.
This tip is especially important if you’re working hotel jobs in the USA with visa sponsorship 2023, as they often come with additional documentation requirements.
Get Your Uniform Ready
Whether you have to wear a uniform or can wear your own clothes, make sure your outfit is clean, pressed, and ready to go before you head to bed. Lay everything out so you don’t have to search for clean socks or a nice tie early in the morning.
Plan Your Route
Few things are worse than showing up late on the first day of work. To avoid this issue, plan on leaving a little earlier than you think you need.
It’s also helpful to plan your route the night before and figure out the fastest way to get there (remember that showing up early is always preferred, especially on Day 1 when you have a lot of onboarding tasks to complete).
Bring a Notepad and Pen
During orientation and onboarding, you will get a lot of information thrown your way.
Bringing a notepad and pen makes it easy for you to jot things down and saves you from having to try and memorize everything you’re told. It also allows you to refer back to key details later.
Write Down Lingering Questions
If you have any lingering questions left over from your interview or when you received the job offer, write them down on your notepad so you can ask your supervisor or a colleague on your first day.
Remember that there’s nothing wrong with asking questions. In fact, it shows that you’re an engaged employee and want to learn as much as possible.
Get Some Sleep
Finally, be sure to get some sleep before the big day. You need to be rested and alert, so try your best not to stay up all night panicking. Do some breathing exercises, drink some tea, turn out the lights, and relax. You’ve got this!
Find and Apply for the Best Hotel Jobs in the USA
Do you think you qualify for one (or more) of the best hotel jobs in the USA? If so, it’s time to start searching for openings.
One of the easiest ways to learn about job availability is to utilize GrabJobs’ free search tool. It can help you find entry-level positions, management positions, USA hotel jobs with a free visa, and more.
