The hospitality industry is one of the most lucrative industries in America. It employs a significant number of people, from foodservice to housekeeping and everything in between. However, with the average salary varying by position, it can be challenging to determine what you should be making as an individual. To help in this regard we have developed a basic 2021 Salary Guide for the Hospitality and Restaurant industry in America as well as guidelines for how much you should make at various levels of experience.
Restaurant Manager
The average salary for a restaurant manager in the United States is $50,300 per year. That number has gone up over time due to inflation and other external factors which affect salaries like an industry boom or bust.
In addition, many restaurants have been forced to increase their wages because of the high turnover rate they experience from employees quitting. In fact, one study done by Bankrate found out that half of all Americans quit within the first six months on a job so if you want consistency with your staff, it’s best just pay them well or risk losing them later down the line when they get another better paying offer somewhere else.
Multi-Unit Restaurant Manager
The average salary for a multi-unit restaurant manager in the United States is $70,100. This is a median wage and includes bonuses and other additional forms of income from the job. This means that a multi-unit restaurant manager can expect to earn around $35 dollars an hour, with the highest paying states in the US being California and New York.
Average Salary: $70,100 per year
Director of Operations
The salary range for a Restaurant Director of Operations can vary greatly by region, and scope of responsibility. The salary range for Directors of Operations will range from $60,000 to over $130,000 with the average salary being $87,000.
Average Salary: $87,000 per year
Executive Chef
The average salary of a chef in the United States is over $15 an hour, according to Indeed. The highest paying cities for chefs are among New York and Philadelphia. As a result, chefs with years under their belt and exceptional references will find themselves earning more than those who have a limited work history or do not yet possess the proper professional qualifications to land higher-paying positions within a restaurant’s management hierarchy. That said, an entry level chef can expect to earn an average yearly salary of about $45,000. Experienced Executive Chef Salaries can range from $42,000 to $90,000 per year with some higher end talent averaging over $120,000 per year.
Average Salary: $58,000 per year
Hotel / Resort General Manager
The average salary of a hotel manager in the United States is over $71,000 and can range from $71,000 to over $145,000 annually. The minimum wage rate for this position can vary depending on location as well as years of experience; however, there are no states where it falls below $50,000. As a result, hotel managers with years under their belt and exceptional references will find themselves earning more than those who have a limited work history or do not yet possess the proper professional qualifications to land higher-paying positions within a hotel’s management hierarchy. Also, hotel managers can expect to receive daily tips adding up to roughly $200 as well depending on location and employer.
Average Salary: $71,000 per year
Other Typical Salary Ranges
Typical salary ranges in other positions in the restaurant and hospitality industry will vary depending on scope of responsibility, region, and experience. Some other typical salary ranges for these positions include.
Restaurant Assistant Manager – Average Salary Range: $33,000 to $53,000 per year
Executive Sous Chef – Average Salary Range: $40,000 to $75,000
Do you need a hospitality headhunter to help determine how much you should pay for a newly opened position? Contact us today.
Kelly Kuhlmann is Founder and Chief Recruiting Partner of Hospitality Headhunter. Kelly has over 30 years in the Restaurant and Hospitality Industry at all levels, and has been one of the Largest Restaurant Franchisees in the United States.