How To Become A Lodging Manager

A lodging manager interacts with people and ensuring that they have the best experience possible in their lodge or hotel and in their travels. In this profession, you will be taking care of guests, answering their questions and ensuring that they are happy with their stay. You will check rooms and facilities to ensure that they are well-maintained. You will also be supervising staff, coordinating activities and providing solutions to problems. You will also see to it that the hotel, motel or lodging management is running profitably.

In addition to great customer service, leadership and listening skills, you also need to have business savvy. As a lodging manager, you will be responsible for budgetary matters so knowing how to operate a business is going to be one of your responsibilities. You also need to be well-organized since you will be coordinating many different schedules and activities.

Why Become A Lodging Manager

There are a lot of reasons to pursue a career as a lodging manager. For starters, it gives one the chance to work in an establishment that others are only able to go to very rarely. Another reason to pursue this career path is that it also allows them to learn the ins-and-outs of the travel and accommodation industry. This training can be very valuable for those who eventually want to start their own bed and breakfast, hotel, motel or other type of lodging.

Lodging managers are responsible for taking care of guests who are staying in hotels, motels and other lodging facilities. They see to it that these facilities are well-maintained and running profitably and that guests are given the best service possible.

Lodging Manager Work Environment

Hotels and motels are the highest employers of lodging managers. Others worked in resorts, inns, bed and breakfasts, recreational camps, youth hostels and other establishments. They work full-time but due to the fact that accommodations are open 24 hours a day, shift work is common. They can work evenings, weekends and even during holidays. Some lodging managers who live at the establishment itself may be called to address problems anytime of the day or night.

Lodging Manager Salary

The Occupational Employment and Wages report of the US Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that lodging managers received a mean annual wage of $55,810 in May 2013. The agency reported in 2012 that the administrative and support services industry paid lodging managers the most at $58,670. Those who were employed with recreational vehicle parks and recreational camps received $48,460 while those in the traveler accommodation industry were paid $46,260. Those managers working with religious, grantmaking, civic, professional and related organizations were paid $45,830 that year.

Average Lodging Manager Annual Salary

$59,620

The average annual salary for lodging managers is $59,620 a year. Salaries start at $28,930 a year and go up to $98,370 a year.

Average Lodging Manager Hourly Wage

$28.67

The average hourly wage for a lodging manager is $28.67. Hourly wages are between $13.91 and $47.29 an hour.

Stats were based out of 36,610 employed lodging managers in the United States.

Highest Paying States For Lodging Managers

1. District of Columbia $51.27 / hr $106,640 / yr
2. New Jersey $41.29 / hr $85,890 / yr
3. New York $39.32 / hr $81,790 / yr
4. Hawaii $38.93 / hr $80,970 / yr
5. Nevada $38.21 / hr $79,470 / yr

Top Paying Cities For Lodging Managers

1. New York, NY $46.88 / hr$97,510 / yr
2. Silver Spring, MD $44.88 / hr$93,350 / yr
3. Phoenix, AZ $41.91 / hr$87,170 / yr
4. Las Vegas, NV $41.67 / hr$86,680 / yr
5. Bend, OR $41.18 / hr$85,650 / yr

Data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Lodging Manager Career Outlook

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that little change is expected in the employment of lodging managers in the decade covering 2012 to 2022. From the 50,400 lodging managers employed in 2012, it is projected that there will be 51,100 managers that will be hired in 2022. Even with the growth in tourism and travel, there won’t be a corresponding need for managers since investors will be focusing more on building limited-service hotels.

Many hotels are also reducing their branches in a bid to cut down on operating costs. As a result, available jobs are going to be highly-competitive. Those who hold relevant degrees are going to have an edge. Because few changes are expected in the employment rate of lodging managers in the next few years, competition for jobs is expected to be intense, with those who have received relevant educational training and degree having the advantage. Lodging managers are paid quite well.

Lodging Manager Degree

While a high school diploma or its equivalent and hotel work experience could qualify one to become a lodging manager, a bachelor’s degree in hospitality or hotel management is usually necessary if one wants to be employed in large full-service hotel or luxury chain.

Aside from the usual courses included in hospitality management programs like housekeeping, hotel administration and food service management and catering, an important part of these degree programs is computer training. Familiarity with computers is needed because hotels now use software to make reservations, billing and other aspects of operations.

Smaller hotels may hire students who hold the Certified Hospitality and Tourism Management Professional certification after finishing the two-year Hospitality and Tourism Management Program of the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute.