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Career Definition for a Lodging Manager
A lodging manager may oversee many types of lodging establishments, such as a well-known hotel chain, independently owned motel, luxury spa-resort or campground. Wherever they're employed, a lodging manager is responsible for the overall operation and economic health of their facility. Their duties may include hiring and firing staff, marketing, approving the operating budget and updating the décor or the information technology system. On top of these duties, a lodging manager must ensure that guests are satisfied with the services they've received.
| Education | Bachelor's degree in business or hospitality; associate's degree with industry experience may be suitable for smaller-scale establishments |
| Job Skills | Strong customer and employee communication skills, self-motivated, highly-organized |
| Median Salary (2015)* | $49,720 per year |
| Job Growth (2014-2024)* | 8% (average) |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Required Education
Candidates holding bachelor's degrees in business, lodging or hospitality management are highly desired by employers from full-service or luxury hotels. Establishments offering fewer services may only require an associate's degree or verifiable experience in the industry. Coursework that best supports a career in lodging management should include such topics as marketing, hotel administration, food service management and computer training.
Required Skills
Work as a lodging manager often requires long, irregular hours of dealing with the public, so the ability to stay positive and effective under adverse conditions is necessary. Lodging managers must have strong interpersonal and communication skills to interact with guests and employees from a wide variety of countries and cultures. Being self-motivated and highly-organized are also important skills for a lodging manager.
Career and Economic Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects an 8% growth for lodging managers from 2014 through 2024. The BLS reported that the 2015 median annual salary for lodging managers was $49,720. The BLS also notes that benefits for lodging managers can be generous and may include profit-sharing or tuition assistance.
Alternate Career Options
Other jobs similar to a lodging manager that may interest you include:
Human Resources Manager
These managers normally have bachelor's degrees and related work experience. They're typically responsible for planning and coordinating all the administrative functions of organizations and businesses. Compared to other occupations, a faster than average job growth of 9% was predicted by the BLS for these positions from 2014-2024. The BLS reported an annual median wage of $104,440 for these managers in 2015.
Sales Manager
Usually holding at least a bachelor's degree and having sales representative experience, these managers direct sales teams by setting goals, analyzing data and organizing sales reps' training programs. As fast as average employment growth of 5% is projected by the BLS for the 2014-2024 decade. In 2015, sales managers had median earnings of $113,860 per year, the BLS said.
