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Hotel manager: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $40,070lowest 10% earn less
- $49,53025th percentile
- $69,250median
- $94,03075th percentile
- $128,880top 10% earn more
Lodging managers, the BLS category that covers hotel managers, earned a median of $69,250 a year in May 2025[1]. Employment is projected to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035, a little faster than the all-occupations rate[2][3].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +3.8%[2]
- Openings per year
- 5,500[6]
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent[7]
How much do hotel managers make?
The median pay for lodging managers was $69,250 a year, or $33.29 an hour[1]. Half earned more and half earned less. The average was $78,740 a year, or $37.86 an hour[8]. For all occupations, the median was $50,980[5].
Pay varies a lot. Here are the annual percentiles[4]:
| Percentile | Annual wage | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 10th[4] | $40,070 | |
| 25th[4] | $49,530 | |
| Median[1] | $69,250 | |
| 75th[4] | $94,030 | |
| 90th[4] | $128,880 |
A percentile is a boundary. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $40,070, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $128,880[4][9]. BLS does not publish a starting salary[9]. By the hour, the 10th percentile was $19.27 and the 90th was $61.96[10].
These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, nonproduction bonuses and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[11]. About 20.7% of lodging managers were self-employed in 2025, so their pay is not in the OEWS numbers[12][11].
Pay by state and city
Among the 50 states and DC with published data, Hawaii had the highest median at $114,070[13]. New Jersey followed at $107,720, then Rhode Island at $106,630[13]. Arkansas had the lowest median on that list at $45,870[13].
California had the most lodging manager jobs at 5,070[14]. Florida followed with 4,790, then Texas with 3,900, New York with 2,880 and Georgia with 1,580[14].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue had the highest median at $129,230[15]. Atlantic City-Hammonton came next at $106,040, then Providence-Warwick at $98,300[15]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs, about 1,910, with a median of $94,030[16].
Show median pay in 50 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii[13] | $114,070 | 200 |
| New Jersey | $107,720 | 450 |
| Rhode Island | $106,630 | 110 |
| Washington | $101,350 | 450 |
| Massachusetts | $97,350 | n/a |
| Colorado | $91,750 | 1,100 |
| Vermont | $81,440 | 210 |
| Alaska | $80,060 | n/a |
| New York | $79,460 | 2,880 |
| New Hampshire | $79,210 | 90 |
| Minnesota | $78,890 | 250 |
| Nevada | $78,110 | 490 |
| Arizona | $77,670 | 680 |
| California | $76,950 | 5,070 |
| Connecticut | $76,940 | 210 |
| District of Columbia | $75,610 | 260 |
| Delaware | $73,850 | 130 |
| Wisconsin | $73,590 | 1,130 |
| Maryland | $73,260 | 440 |
| West Virginia | $72,800 | 180 |
| Alabama | $69,420 | 570 |
| Florida | $69,120 | 4,790 |
| Nebraska | $67,990 | 330 |
| New Mexico | $67,320 | 370 |
| Indiana | $67,070 | 570 |
| Utah | $67,060 | n/a |
| Virginia | $66,990 | n/a |
| Montana | $66,580 | 670 |
| Idaho | $65,390 | 70 |
| Kansas | $64,220 | 300 |
| North Carolina | $63,860 | 1,460 |
| Oregon | $63,220 | 1,170 |
| Tennessee | $63,050 | 610 |
| Louisiana | $63,000 | 380 |
| South Carolina | $62,990 | 640 |
| North Dakota | $62,770 | 270 |
| Mississippi | $62,550 | 290 |
| Maine | $62,400 | 740 |
| Texas | $62,000 | 3,900 |
| South Dakota | $61,920 | 310 |
| Illinois | $61,530 | 740 |
| Wyoming | $61,190 | 420 |
| Georgia | $61,060 | 1,580 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,980 | n/a |
| Iowa | $59,680 | 410 |
| Kentucky | $59,440 | n/a |
| Michigan | $58,970 | n/a |
| Oklahoma | $50,740 | 440 |
| Ohio | $48,690 | 1,490 |
| Missouri | $46,880 | 170 |
| Arkansas | $45,870 | 480 |
How to become a hotel manager
BLS describes three typical paths into the job[17]:
- First: a high school diploma plus several years of work experience at a lodging facility[17]. Candidates on this path typically have worked at the front desk, in guest services or in similar jobs[18].
- Next: a bachelor's degree in hospitality or hotel management. Full-service facilities may prefer it[17][19].
- Or: an associate's degree or certificate in hotel, restaurant or hospitality management. Limited-service facilities may hire these candidates[17][20].
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education, less than 5 years of related experience and no typical on-the-job training[7]. Candidates with a degree often have experience too, gained through internships or as a management trainee[18].
No license is listed in the facts. Professional certification may help, and it may require exams and industry work experience[21]. With leadership potential and several years of experience, lodging employees may qualify for assistant manager jobs[22]. Large facilities, including well-established chains, may offer better room to advance than small independent ones[23].
The facts do not give a total time to qualify or the cost of a degree.
What hotel managers do
O*NET describes the work as planning and overseeing the work of a lodging business or one of its departments[24]. Typical tasks include:
- Answering questions about hotel policies and services and resolving guests' complaints[25].
- Helping set room rates and budgets and divide funds among departments[25].
- Working with other managers so hotel activities fit together[25].
- Watching the revenue of the hotel or facility[25].
- Training staff and checking how well they follow policies and procedures[25].
- Running the front office and solving problems there[25].
- Walking through guest rooms, public areas and grounds to check cleanliness and appearance[25].
BLS also names business, customer-service, interpersonal and leadership skills as important[26][27][28][29].
Where they work
Traveler accommodation employed 66% of lodging managers in 2025[30]. Most lodging managers work full time. Schedules can change and often cover evenings, weekends and holidays. Facilities are open all day and night, some managers are on call around the clock[31]. BLS notes that juggling many activities, earning a profit for investors and handling unhappy guests may be stressful[32].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of lodging managers to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 54,800 to 56,900 jobs[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[3]. These counts include self-employed workers and differ from the OEWS count of about 42,620 wage and salary jobs[33][2].
About 5,500 openings are projected each year on average[6]. Openings include jobs that come up when workers retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 3.8% of workers leave the labor force and 5.7% move to a different occupation[34].
Is it a good fit?
Pay is above the all-occupations median, but it spans a wide range, from $40,070 at the 10th percentile to $128,880 at the 90th[1][5][4]. Several education routes lead in, including a high school diploma with experience[17]. The job often means evenings, weekends and holidays, and it can be stressful[31][32]. Projected growth is close to the all-occupations rate[2][3].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a hotel manager make an hour?
- The median for lodging managers was $33.29 an hour and the mean was $37.86 in May 2025[1][8].
- What degree do you need to be a hotel manager?
- BLS describes three typical paths: a high school diploma plus experience, a bachelor's degree in hotel or hospitality management, or an associate's degree or certificate in the field[17].
- Is hotel manager a growing job?
- Employment is projected to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations, with about 5,500 openings a year[2][3][6].
- What is the highest paying state for hotel managers?
- Hawaii had the highest median at $114,070, then New Jersey at $107,720[13].
- Do hotel managers need a license?
- The facts list no license. Professional certification may be beneficial[21].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Lodging Managers in the US was $69,250 per year and $33.29 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Lodging Managers is projected to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 54,800 to 56,900 jobs (a change of +2,100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Lodging Managers: 10th percentile $40,070, 25th percentile $49,530, 75th percentile $94,030, 90th percentile $128,880. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 5,500 openings for Lodging Managers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Lodging Managers: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: Less than 5 years; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Lodging Managers was $78,740 per year and $37.86 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Lodging Managers: 10th percentile $19.27, 25th percentile $23.81, 75th percentile $45.21, 90th percentile $61.96. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: 20.7% of Lodging Managers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- Median annual wage for Lodging Managers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Lodging Managers jobs: California 5,070; Florida 4,790; Texas 3,900; New York 2,880; Georgia 1,580. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Lodging Managers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $129,230; Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ $106,040; Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $98,300; Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $96,470; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $94,460; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $94,030; Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $91,390; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $89,010. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Lodging Managers jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 1,910 (median $94,030); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 1,480 (median $75,930); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 1,160 (median $76,860); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 1,140 (median $66,280); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 920 (median $64,060); Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL 900 (median $71,620). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET description of Lodging Managers. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Lodging Managers. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of lodging managers in 2025: Traveler accommodation 66%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 42,620 people were employed as Lodging Managers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Lodging Managers: 3.8% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5.7% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.