USA | A new report has revealed surprising trade-offs between salary growth and job strategies in the hospitality sector.
A recent analysis of wage and employment data from 2020 to 2024 by OysterLink has revealed a striking contradiction in the hospitality industry: some of the highest-paying roles offer the least promising long-term opportunities. While these positions often deliver steady salary increases, their job growth outlooks remain stagnant, or worse, are in decline.
The findings raise important questions for workers, career advisors, and industry leaders about the sustainability and value of pursuing these roles in an evolving job market.
The role of Hotel Manager tops the list of well-paying hospitality jobs, with an average salary of USD 77,460 in 2024, up 18.68 percent from USD 65,270 in 2020. However, employee growth over the same period was modest at just 30.07 percent, and job growth projections for the next decade stand at only 10 percent, significantly lower than many frontline roles.
Similarly, Restaurant Managers earned an average of USD 72,370 in 2024, a strong increase of 18.64 percent, but the job outlook from 2023 to 2033 is just two percent, reflecting the impact of automation, evolving consumer behaviours, and consolidation in the food service industry.
"These numbers highlight an important trade-off," said Milos Eric, founder and general manager at OysterLink.
"Salary alone doesn't tell the full story. Job seekers must consider future demand, stability, and growth opportunities."
At the other end of the spectrum, jobs such as Bartender and Waiter, traditionally viewed as lower-paying, are experiencing explosive employment growth. Bartenders saw a 37.95 percent wage increase since 2020, with a 2024 salary of percent 39,880 and a 53.19 percent rise in total employment. Waiters saw nearly 40 percent wage growth and added over 350,000 jobs from 2020 to 2024.
Even Cooks, whose average 2024 salary of USD 37,730 remains modest, have seen a 30.86 percent increase in employee count and a 17 percent job growth outlook, the highest among all roles analysed.
"These are roles where demand is driven by consumer-facing service, which can't be easily outsourced or automated," Eric added.
"As long as people continue dining out and attending events, these roles will remain essential."
While roles like Chef offer a unique balance, delivering both a high 2024 salary of USD 64,720 and 79.64 percent employee growth from 2020 to 2024, they are exceptions rather than the norm. Many aspiring hospitality professionals face a strategic choice: Pursue a high-paying job with limited future opportunity or opt for roles with more growth potential but lower initial pay.
For job seekers in the hospitality industry, understanding this balance is more critical than ever. Employers are also encouraged to consider these trends in workforce planning, compensation strategies, and long-term investment in training.
"This data should inform how hospitality leaders recruit, retain, and invest in their teams," said Eric.
"There's real risk in over-relying on legacy roles that don't reflect where the industry is headed."
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