Hospitality, Food & Tourism Careers: Pay, Training & Outlook

Hospitality, food service and tourism employ millions of people and hire year-round. Many roles can be started with no experience, and restaurants and hotels are known for promoting people who show up reliably and learn fast, from line cook to sous chef or front desk agent to hotel manager.

The work is fast-paced, physical and people-focused, with evening, weekend and holiday shifts. Tips make up a large share of pay in many front-of-house roles, and food safety and alcohol-service certifications are standard requirements.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

36 hospitality careers

Amusement Park Attendant

Run rides, games and attractions at amusement parks and recreation centers.

$32,150/yr median
+3.7% growth
A few days of training

Baker

Mix, shape and bake breads, pastries and desserts.

$37,160/yr median
+5.5% growth
1–12 months

Banquet Server

Serve food and drinks at weddings, conferences and catered events.

$35,360/yr median
+4.5% growth
A few days on the job

Barista

Make coffee drinks and serve customers at cafes and coffee shops.

$31,200/yr median
+5.8% growth
1–2 weeks

Bartender

Mix drinks, serve guests and create a great atmosphere at the bar.

$34,340/yr median
+5.0% growth
1–4 weeks

Bellhop

Greet hotel guests and carry their luggage to their rooms.

$37,080/yr median
-3.0% growth
A few days on the job

Busser

Clear and reset tables so restaurants run smoothly.

$33,980/yr median
+5.3% growth
A few days on the job

Butcher

Cut, trim and prepare meat for stores, restaurants and customers.

$40,140/yr median
+2.4% growth
3–12 months on the job

Cafeteria Cook

Cook large batches of food for schools, hospitals and company cafeterias.

$37,450/yr median
+2.8% growth
A few weeks on the job

Casino Cage Cashier

Run the casino’s money center, handling large cash transactions and chips.

$37,580/yr median
-3.1% growth
A few weeks of training

Casino Cashier

Exchange cash and help guests on the casino floor.

$36,220/yr median
-1.9% growth
A few weeks of training

Casino Dealer

Run table games such as blackjack, poker and roulette in casinos.

$34,320/yr median
+3.4% growth
4–12 weeks per game

Casino Floor Supervisor

Watch over casino games and dealers to keep play fair and fun.

$63,820/yr median
+3.5% growth
Years of dealing experience

Casino Manager

Run casino gaming floors, staff and operations.

$93,220/yr median
+3.6% growth
Years of casino experience

Chef

Lead kitchens, create menus and turn ingredients into memorable meals.

$62,470/yr median
+6.6% growth
2–5 years of kitchen experience

Concierge

Help guests and residents get reservations, tickets, tips and anything they need.

$38,950/yr median
+2.6% growth
1–6 months on the job

Custodial Supervisor

Lead cleaning crews in schools, hospitals, offices and hotels.

$49,100/yr median
+3.2% growth
Experience plus supervisor training

Dishwasher

Keep the kitchen running by washing dishes, pots and equipment.

$34,810/yr median
-1.0% growth
A few days on the job

Event Planner

Plan and run conferences, weddings, meetings and celebrations.

$61,160/yr median
+5.8% growth
4 years or event experience

Fast Food Cook

Cook menu items quickly at fast food and quick-service restaurants.

$30,890/yr median
+0.6% growth
A few days on the job

Food Service Supervisor

Lead food service shifts, crews and quality at restaurants and cafeterias.

$44,080/yr median
+5.4% growth
6–12 months of experience

Hotel Front Desk Agent

Welcome hotel guests, check them in and solve problems during their stay.

$35,070/yr median
+1.8% growth
1–2 weeks

Hotel Housekeeper

Clean and refresh guest rooms to keep hotels spotless and welcoming.

$35,510/yr median
+0.6% growth
1–2 weeks

Hotel Manager

Run hotels and resorts, from guest service to profits.

$69,250/yr median
+3.8% growth
3–5 years of hotel experience

Janitor

Clean and maintain schools, offices, hospitals and buildings.

$36,840/yr median
+2.2% growth
A few days on the job

Line Cook

Cook dishes to order on a busy restaurant line.

$37,390/yr median
+12.1% growth
1–6 months on the job

Prep Cook

Prepare the ingredients that make every kitchen service possible.

$35,320/yr median
-3.0% growth
1–4 weeks

Private Chef

Cook custom meals for families and clients in their homes.

$47,940/yr median
+5.1% growth
1–3 years including experience

Recreation Manager

Run parks, community centers and recreation programs.

$79,520/yr median
+6.0% growth
Degree plus experience

Restaurant Host

Greet guests, manage the waitlist and seat diners.

$31,200/yr median
+3.4% growth
A few days on the job

Restaurant Manager

Run restaurants: guests, staff, food quality, safety and profits.

$69,390/yr median
+5.8% growth
2–5 years of restaurant experience

Server

Take orders, serve food and drinks and make every meal a good experience.

$35,230/yr median
+2.0% growth
1–2 weeks

Short-Order Cook

Cook quick orders like eggs, burgers and sandwiches at diners and cafés.

$35,880/yr median
-5.2% growth
A few days on the job

Sportsbook Writer

Take bets, issue tickets and pay out winners at sportsbooks and race books.

$34,980/yr median
+1.8% growth
A few weeks of training

Tour Guide

Lead travelers through cities, sites and outdoor adventures.

$38,120/yr median
+6.3% growth
1–3 months

Usher

Take tickets, guide guests to seats and keep events running smoothly.

$32,910/yr median
+0.9% growth
A few hours to days

Compare hospitality careers

#	Career	Median pay	Growth 2025–35	Training time	Typical entry education
1	Casino Manager	$93,220	+3.6%	Years of casino experience	High school diploma or equivalent
2	Recreation Manager	$79,520	+6.0%	Degree plus experience	Bachelor's degree
3	Restaurant Manager	$69,390	+5.8%	2–5 years of restaurant experience	High school diploma or equivalent
4	Hotel Manager	$69,250	+3.8%	3–5 years of hotel experience	High school diploma or equivalent
5	Casino Floor Supervisor	$63,820	+3.5%	Years of dealing experience	High school diploma or equivalent
6	Chef	$62,470	+6.6%	2–5 years of kitchen experience	High school diploma or equivalent
7	Event Planner	$61,160	+5.8%	4 years or event experience	Bachelor's degree
8	Custodial Supervisor	$49,100	+3.2%	Experience plus supervisor training	High school diploma or equivalent
9	Private Chef	$47,940	+5.1%	1–3 years including experience	Postsecondary nondegree award
10	Food Service Supervisor	$44,080	+5.4%	6–12 months of experience	High school diploma or equivalent
11	Butcher	$40,140	+2.4%	3–12 months on the job	No formal educational credential
12	Concierge	$38,950	+2.6%	1–6 months on the job	High school diploma or equivalent
13	Tour Guide	$38,120	+6.3%	1–3 months	High school diploma or equivalent
14	Casino Cage Cashier	$37,580	-3.1%	A few weeks of training	High school diploma or equivalent
15	Cafeteria Cook	$37,450	+2.8%	A few weeks on the job	No formal educational credential
16	Line Cook	$37,390	+12.1%	1–6 months on the job	No formal educational credential
17	Baker	$37,160	+5.5%	1–12 months	No formal educational credential
18	Bellhop	$37,080	-3.0%	A few days on the job	High school diploma or equivalent
19	Janitor	$36,840	+2.2%	A few days on the job	No formal educational credential
20	Casino Cashier	$36,220	-1.9%	A few weeks of training	No formal educational credential
21	Short-Order Cook	$35,880	-5.2%	A few days on the job	No formal educational credential
22	Hotel Housekeeper	$35,510	+0.6%	1–2 weeks	No formal educational credential
23	Banquet Server	$35,360	+4.5%	A few days on the job	No formal educational credential
24	Prep Cook	$35,320	-3.0%	1–4 weeks	No formal educational credential
25	Server	$35,230	+2.0%	1–2 weeks	No formal educational credential
26	Hotel Front Desk Agent	$35,070	+1.8%	1–2 weeks	High school diploma or equivalent
27	Sportsbook Writer	$34,980	+1.8%	A few weeks of training	High school diploma or equivalent
28	Dishwasher	$34,810	-1.0%	A few days on the job	No formal educational credential
29	Bartender	$34,340	+5.0%	1–4 weeks	No formal educational credential
30	Casino Dealer	$34,320	+3.4%	4–12 weeks per game	High school diploma or equivalent
31	Busser	$33,980	+5.3%	A few days on the job	No formal educational credential
32	Usher	$32,910	+0.9%	A few hours to days	No formal educational credential
33	Amusement Park Attendant	$32,150	+3.7%	A few days of training	No formal educational credential
34	Barista	$31,200	+5.8%	1–2 weeks	No formal educational credential
35	Restaurant Host	$31,200	+3.4%	A few days on the job	No formal educational credential
36	Fast Food Cook	$30,890	+0.6%	A few days on the job	No formal educational credential

Getting hired in hospitality

Get a food handler or ServSafe certificate and responsible alcohol-service training before you apply. They cost little and show managers you are ready to work a shift on day one.

What affects pay in this field

Tips and service charges in front-of-house roles
Type of establishment (fine dining, resorts and casinos often pay more)
Supervisory and management responsibility
Certifications such as ServSafe Manager and culinary credentials

Find your fit

Take the Hospitality, Food & Tourism career quiz to see which of these roles matches your interests best.

Hospitality, Food & Tourism careers FAQ

What is the highest-paying hospitality career on this list?

Casino Manager has the highest median pay among our hospitality profiles at $93,220 per year (BLS, May 2025).

Which hospitality career is fastest to start?

Barista typically takes about 1–2 weeks of training.

Which hospitality career is growing fastest?

Line Cook, with projected growth of +12.1% from 2025–35 (much faster than average).

How do I choose the right hospitality career?

Compare day-to-day duties, training time and pay, then take our Hospitality, Food & Tourism career quiz for a personalized match. Reading a day in the life for your top two choices helps a lot.