Hotel & Lodging Managers
Description OES Code: 15026
Plan, organize, direct, control, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that serves food and beverages and/or provides lodging and other accommodations. Include Food and Beverage Directors.

Wages, California
Entry-Level Hourly Wage $12.60
25th Percentile $13.65
50th Percentile $18.56
75th Percentile $ 23.83

Wages, San Joaquin County
Entry-Level Hourly Wage $12.03
25th Percentile $11.82
50th Percentile $12.77
75th Percentile $13.74

Wages by California County
• OES Survey
• CCOIS Survey

Hours & Benefits
Generally, paid vacation, sick leave, and medical insurance plans are included in the employee benefit package.

Long hours and work that usually includes evenings, holidays and weekends are common to this industry. Regular hours and work schedules are hard to establish and maintain for management staff.

Employment Trends, California
Employment 1990 30,100
Projected Employment 2008 36,200
Growth Rate 1998-2008 20.3%
Openings due to Separations 5,800

Employment Trends by California County

Advancement
There are no rigid rules regarding the pattern of promotion to the job of hotel manager. Managers or executive assistants are frequently selected from a front-office or department-head position. Willingness to relocate is essential for advancement in a chain-operated hotel.

Getting the Job & Other Information
Direct contact with employers, or leads from college placement offices and ads in the trade press are common ways of obtaining hotel work. Large chain operations usually recruit from within their own organization, although they may hire managers from rival hotels. Job seekers should also register with the Employment Development Department.

For current job listings, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

Education and Training
Most recent hires have a BA or an AA degree in hotel administration. The level and specific nature of the entry job depend on the work experience acquired during or before professional training. Many graduates start in front offices or accounting departments or as assistant to a department manager.

In schools not offering a degree program in hotel administration, recommended courses are business administration, law, labor relations and economics.

The American Hotel and Motel Association offers a program of professional certification to employees in the industry. Candidates for the industry's diploma complete specified courses in either formal classroom or home study.

Skills & Other Requirements
Personal characteristics ranked as very important by surveyed employers are oral and written communication skills, customer service skills, ability to read and follow instructions and willingness to work both independently and as a team member. The potential to manage activities of an entire department, ability to work under pressure, and possession of excellent problem solving and interpersonal skills also ranked high. Computer literacy and business math skills ranked as moderately important.

The job of hotel manager is both physically and mentally demanding. Problems arise constantly and managers must maintain smooth operation of the establishment while satisfying all of the clientele.

References
California Occupational Guide: #114

Related Occupations: Hotel Desk Clerks, Human Resources Specialists & Managers

Training: California Training and Education Providers (CTEP)