Facts About The Industry

Hotel and Restaurant Industry Growth

FACT: Employment of lodging managers is expected to grow 12% between 2006 and 2016
FACT: Employment of food service managers is expected to grow 5 percent for all occupations, during the 2006-16 decade. New eating and drinking places will open to meet the growing demand for convenience and value from a growing population, generating new employment opportunities for food service managers.
FACT: Median annual earnings of salaried food service managers were $43,020 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $34,210 and $55,100. The highest 10 percent earned more than $70,810.
FACT: Median annual earnings of lodging managers were $42,320 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $31,870 and $58,380. The highest 10 percent earned more than $82,510.

Culinary and Baking Career Statistics

FACT: When hiring chefs and others in advanced cooking positions, however, employers usually prefer applicants who have training after high school. These training programs range from a few months to 2 years or more.
FACT: The number of higher-skilled chefs and cooks working in full-service restaurants—those that offer table service and more varied menus—is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations.
FACT: Employment of chefs, cooks, and food preparation workers is expected to increase by 11 percent over the 2006-16 decade, which is about the same rate as the average for all occupations.
FACT: This occupation will have among the largest numbers of new jobs, about 351,000, over the period. Growth will be spurred by increases in population, household income, and demand for convenience that will lead to more people dining out and taking vacations that include hotel stays and restaurant visits.
FACT: Median annual wage-and-salary earnings of chefs and head cooks were $34,370 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $25,910 and $46,040. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $20,160, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $60,730.
FACT: Median annual wage-and-salary earnings of private-household cooks were $22,870 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $17,960 and $31,050. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $14,690, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $55,040.

*Sources: U.S. Department of Labor; Island Publications