Are you scrolling through job sites, searching for a career that ticks all the boxes? Ideally, your new job would be in high demand, pay well, and not require two to four years of school. Maybe that sounds like a unicorn, so you keep scrolling, applying to anything that will pay the bills.
What if there was a career that meets all of your requirements and is actually enjoyable?
The hospitality industry is fast-paced, creative, and hands-on. Jobs in this field allow you to do what you love: help people enjoy delicious food, awe-inspiring vacations, and relaxing weekends away.
Hospitality jobs are more than just fun. They’re also in demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in the leisure and hospitality industry are projected to have the highest employment increase of any sector over the next decade.
Here’s more good news. You don’t need to attend a two-year or four-year college to land a high-paying job in hospitality. Depending on the type of job, you may only need training or certification to land the role.
You might think they’re in demand and don’t require a degree so they must not pay that much, right? Wrong! While it’s true that not every hospitality job will push you up to the next tax bracket, many of these jobs will allow you to live comfortably.
Here are 4 Hospitality Jobs That Pay Well:
Hotel Director of Sales
A hotel director of sales is a senior-level position that oversees a hotel’s sales goals and manages the sales team. Because this individual is directly involved in the growth and profitability of the hotel, they are well-compensated. The average salary for a hotel director of sales is $186,426, but some directors make well over $200,000.
Are you a strong leader? You’ll lead and motivate the sales team. Are you a people person? You’ll foster friendly relationships with clients and partners. By developing these leadership and sales skills, you can implement your hotel’s business strategies and become an effective Director of Sales.
Hotel General Manager
If you love the idea of running a hotel but don’t enjoy selling and marketing, you may find your fit as the general manager. Like the hotel director of sales, this job will still keep you interacting with people all day and managing employees. But instead of creating elaborate marketing strategies, you’ll choose amenities, negotiate with vendors, and hire staff. And you’ll enjoy every minute of it, especially when making great money. Hotel General Managers earn $93,000 to $136,500 per year.
If you know how to curate the perfect experiences for your guests and manage every last detail – down to the way your housekeepers fold the sheets – this may be your perfect fit! With some additional business training, you’ll be ready to turn your guests’ vacations into lifelong memories.
Meeting/Event Director
Do you love planning menus, setting up the technology, and organizing events around the perfect theme? In that case, consider a career as an Event Director. Whether you specialize in corporate retreats, charity events, conferences, or other industry events, it will be your job to ensure everything goes smoothly for your clients. And because you’re helping your clients look good for their guests, they’ll pay top dollar. Event Directors can make up to $170,757.
If you have an eye for detail, a can-do attitude, and a penchant for leadership, event planning may be your calling.
Executive Chef
Is Gordon Ramsay one of your role models? You may consider becoming a chef if you love cooking, planning the perfect menus, and staying on top of the latest food trends. What’s more to love about becoming an executive chef is that you can earn between $79,265 and $106,364.
To make your way up to Executive Chef, you must learn more than just food preparation. In addition to learning how to cook, you must also learn how to manage a kitchen staff, plan around a restaurant or hotel budget, and stay on top of state and federal safety regulations. In addition, you’ll need to develop strong leadership and organizational skills to succeed at this job.
Are You Ready to Explore a Future in Hospitality?
If you’re considering any of these hospitality careers, a trade school is a great way to get started! Florida Trade Academy’s combination of practical skills, hands-on experience, and apprenticeship opportunities will put you on the path to your dream job. Keep an eye on our Concentrations page so you’ll be the first to learn about our new training paths as we add them or contact us to learn more!
