Hotel Manager and Lodge Manager

Written By Keandra Wilson

 1. OVERVIEW

Lodging Managers ensure that guests have a positive experience at hotels, motels, resorts, and other lodging facilities. They manage operations, oversee staff, resolve guest issues, and ensure the facility is profitable and efficient.

  • 2024 Median Pay: $68,130/year ($32.76/hour)

  • Job Growth (2023–2033): +10% (Much faster than average)

  • Typical Education: High school diploma, associate, or bachelor’s in hospitality or hotel management

2. ROLE BREAKDOWN BY LEVEL

ENTRY LEVEL

  • Job Titles: Assistant Front Office Manager, Guest Services Supervisor, Front Desk Supervisor

  • Education: High school diploma; associate degree or certificate in hotel/hospitality management preferred

  • Experience: 1–3 years in front desk, housekeeping, or guest services

  • Certifications (Optional):

    • Certified Hospitality & Tourism Management Program (CHTMP – AHLEI)

    • Front Desk Representative Certificate

  • Core Duties:

    • Supervise front-desk staff and support guest check-ins

    • Respond to guest questions and complaints

    • Monitor cleanliness and room turnover

    • Use hospitality software for bookings and billing

  • Salary Range: $40,000–$60,000

MID LEVEL

  • Job Titles: Front Office Manager, Revenue Manager, Assistant General Manager

  • Education: Associate or bachelor’s degree in hospitality, tourism, or business

  • Experience: 3–6 years in supervisory or managerial hospitality roles

  • Certifications (Preferred):

    • Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics (CHIA – AHLEI)

    • Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS)

  • Core Duties:

    • Manage budgets, occupancy rates, and staffing schedules

    • Oversee multiple departments (front office, housekeeping, guest services)

    • Coordinate events or group bookings

    • Implement policies to enhance efficiency and guest satisfaction

  • Salary Range: $60,000–$85,000

SENIOR LEVEL

  • Job Titles: General Manager, Hotel Director, Regional Operations Manager

  • Education: Bachelor’s or master’s in hospitality management or business

  • Experience: 6+ years with hotel management and leadership experience

  • Certifications (Preferred):

    • Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA – AHLEI)

    • PMP or MBA in Hospitality/Operations

  • Core Duties:

    • Direct entire lodging operations including HR, finance, marketing, and guest services

    • Lead strategic planning and long-term growth

    • Represent hotel ownership and brand

    • Handle legal, compliance, and risk management issues

  • Salary Range: $85,000–$140,000+

3. HOW TO BECOME ONE

  • Education:

    • Pathways include a high school diploma with experience, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s in hospitality management

  • Training:

    • On-the-job training, hospitality software, front desk systems

  • Certifications & Advancement:

    • Entry certifications: CHTMP, CHIA

    • Advanced: CHA, PMP, Hospitality MBA

  • Typical Career Path:
    Guest Services Rep → Front Desk Supervisor → Front Office Manager → General Manager

4. SKILLS & TOOLS

Core Skills

  • Leadership & conflict resolution

  • Customer service & communication

  • Business budgeting & financial tracking

  • Staff management & scheduling

  • Hospitality software proficiency

Tools & Technology

  • Property Management Systems (PMS): Opera, Cloudbeds, Maestro

  • Booking platforms: Expedia, Booking.com, Airbnb

  • POS systems: Toast, Micros

  • Scheduling & payroll: ADP, When I Work

5. WORK ENVIRONMENT

  • Industries: Hotels, resorts, motels, extended stays, RV parks

  • Settings: On-site; often require evening, weekend, and holiday shifts

  • Schedules: Full-time; 24/7 operations may require being on call

  • Challenges:

    • Managing dissatisfied guests

    • Coordinating across departments

    • Meeting revenue goals under pressure

6. JOB OUTLOOK

  • Annual Openings: ~6,000 per year

  • Growth Drivers:

    • Increased travel and hotel stays

    • Rise in extended-stay and business+leisure travel

  • Trends:

    • Tech integration (online check-in, contactless service)

    • Competition from short-term rentals (Airbnb, Vrbo)

  • Career Paths:

    • Area Manager, Resort Director, Corporate Hospitality Trainer

7. RELATED OCCUPATIONS

  • Role: Food Service Managers | Salary: $65,310 | Education Level: High school diploma

  • Role: Human Resources Managers | Salary: $140,030 | Education Level: Bachelor's degree

  • Role: Property Managers | Salary: $66,700 | Education Level: High school diploma

  • Role: Sales Managers | Salary: $138,060 | Education Level: Bachelor's degree

  • Role: Event Planners | Salary: $55,690 | Education Level: Bachelor's degree

8. RESOURCES FOR LEARNING & ADVANCEMENT

Courses & Certifications

  • AHLEI: Hospitality & Tourism Management, CHIA, CHA

  • Cornell: Hotel Management Certificate (online)

  • edX/Coursera: Hospitality & Tourism Management

  • ProStart or ServSuccess for frontline training

Books

  • Hotel Management and Operations by Michael J. O’Fallon

  • Setting the Table by Danny Meyer

  • The Heart of Hospitality by Micah Solomon

Videos & Communities

  • YouTube:

    • Hospitality Academy

    • LodgIQ

    • eCornell’s Hospitality Series

  • Forums & Groups:

    • r/hospitality on Reddit

    • AHLA (American Hotel & Lodging Association)

    • Hospitality Net

9. REGIONAL DATA & EMPLOYMENT TRENDS

  • Top-Paying Industries:

    • Traveler Accommodation: $66,880

    • RV Camps: $56,170

  • Hot Markets:

    • Florida, California, Texas, Nevada, New York

  • Trends:

    • Greater demand in resorts and hybrid leisure/business locations

    • Increased use of tech for management, guest experience, and operations

 

Keandra Wilson
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