How much does a hotel manager make? (Plus duties and skills)

Updated 17 January 2023

Hotel managers ensure that all hotel operations run smoothly while delegating tasks to members of staff to keep guests satisfied. Hotel management requires excellent organisational and leadership skills as they deal with many tasks simultaneously while also directing a team of employees. Those with interest in the hospitality industry may be interested in learning about the salary of the role to determine if the job is right for them. In this article, we discuss what a hotel manager is, the required skills, how much does a hotel manager make and how to increase your salary.

How much does a hotel manager make?

If you're ambitious and have an interest in the hospitality sector, you may want to know how much does a hotel manager make. The national average salary of a hotel manager is £30,836 per year. Hotel manager salaries vary drastically depending on location, experience and employer. Those who work at higher-end luxury hotels make more due to a higher standard of entry that requires more industry experience. Working in busy cities or the capital gives you more working opportunities and a higher salary as there are more guests booking rooms at hotels in these areas.

What is a hotel manager?

A hotel manager is an authoritative figure in the hotel during their shift. They organise and arrange all hotel services, such as room service, housekeeping or front-of-house. Hotel managers may also deal with finances and keep accounts while simultaneously budgeting for the hotel. The role is diverse and dynamic and the day-to-day responsibilities of the job can vary depending on the guests and the tasks for the day. It's important for hotel managers to have a deep understanding of customer service but also the industry knowledge to solve problems quickly and succinctly.

How to increase your salary as a hotel manager

The salary of a hotel manager relates directly to the place of employment and location. There are a few skills you can learn or improve and training that can help you lever a better salary for yourself, but the most significant way you can raise your salary is by acquiring work experience. Here are a few steps to increase your salary as a hotel manager:

1. Gain work experience

The best way to get a better salary as a hotel manager is to have a lot of work experience. Having years of relevant work experience can help you get jobs in higher-paying establishments, as it shows you have the industry-specific knowledge and experience to succeed in more prestigious hotels. You can gain this work experience by starting in smaller hotels, bed-and-breakfasts or country clubs. To start in the hotel managing niche, you may not require work experience in a hotel specifically, but to move up and gain a higher salary requires many years of experience.

2. Improve your skills

There are many responsibilities for a hotel manager and you can learn certain skills to help leverage a better contract for yourself, citing that you have knowledge of these skills. There are many things you can learn to improve your hotel manager CV, such as sommelier training, booking software knowledge, business development skills and accounting. You can learn these skills on online platforms or join in-person courses. Some hotels may also provide training for some skills as part of their training and development programmes.

3. Prioritise seasonal locations

Hotel prices and salaries go up significantly depending on tourism and population. The more traffic a hotel sees, the more bookings it receives. High-class hotels and establishments are more likely to be successful in a city or the capital, so candidates can expect to see much higher salaries in those areas compared to smaller towns. If you want a higher salary as a hotel manager, moving to a city improves your chances greatly. Living costs are higher in these areas, so while you may receive a higher salary, you also pay more to live in the city.

4. Make professional connections

Success in the hospitality industry can revolve around connections and who you have in your professional network. You have more of a chance to get a higher paying job if a connection you have refers you to the position. There are many ways to make connections, such as in previous work experiences, during training courses or through your current job.

Related: Networking tips for jobseekers

What do hotel managers do?

The responsibilities of a hotel manager are vast and can change depending on the day and the tasks that require your immediate attention. The tasks you complete largely revolve around a few key skills, such as organisational ability, management and leadership skills, hospitality industry knowledge and customer service. If you enjoy a dynamic workday that may be different every time you come to work and problem solving, then the role of a hotel manager may suit you.

Although each day may have different tasks for you to do as a hotel manager, some primary responsibilities of the role are:

address problems and devise a solution as quickly as possible
deal with customer complaints and issues
ensure security on the property is effective
ensure conferences and events run smoothly with proper catering
keep track of financial records
manage accounts and budgets and control expenditure
perform inspections of the hotel property to ensure everything is up to standard
plan and organise hotel services and events
plan work schedules for divisions and teams within the hotel
recruit and train staff to hotel standards
run front-of-house and greet guests
supervise maintenance, supplies and renovations

Essential skills of a hotel manager

Here are some skills that may help you as a hotel manager:

Communication

The most important part of a hotel manager's job is to ensure proper communication with the staff and customers. A primary responsibility of the job is to make sure guests have a satisfying stay. You can accomplish that by greeting them, accommodating their needs and solving any issues they may have while staying at the hotel. Hotel managers also have effective communication skills to collaborate with staff and contractors to ensure the hotel is operating optimally.

Organisation

A hotel manager deals with many tasks simultaneously and has great organisational skills and time management ability that helps them complete their responsibilities for the day. Since hotel managers are typically the most authoritative figure on-site in a hotel, staff members report to them for advice or help. A hotel manager may also juggle between tasks like managing financial accounts and then suddenly helping a guest with an issue. It's important to stay focused on the task you're working on yet be able to pivot to a new task instantaneously to resolve it.

Professionalism

Professionalism is a requirement for any hotel manager. Accommodating guests who present concerns and ensuring they have a comfortable stay regardless of their behaviour is the hotel manager's responsibility, and professionalism during any situation is critical. The hotel manager represents the hotel's brand and acts accordingly. They also communicate with many individuals in professional settings, such as organising contractors, labourers and staff. Hotel managers possess professionalism and cordiality because they're constantly on the job, and their focus on details and accommodating others is paramount.

Logistical planning

It requires a lot of logistical planning to ensure all hotel operations are running as normal. If a guest's amenities stop working, the hotel manager may contact a member of staff to fix it. If there's a conference being held at the hotel, then it's the hotel manager's responsibility to organise all parts of the conference and to accommodate everyone comfortably during the event. A hotel manager also delegates tasks and develops work schedules for members of staff.

Data Entry

Hotels employ data management systems and other software to keep track of all finances, data and staff schedules. A hotel manager can excel by having a fluent understanding of these applications and being able to perform advanced tasks on them. These applications may be spreadsheet, scheduling or booking system applications. The software a hotel uses varies from employer to employer. Many hotels provide training for the software they use, but general knowledge in spreadsheet applications may help.

Leadership

Hotel managers are the supervisory figure on-site in a hotel and respond to queries from both guests and staff members. They are the most qualified individuals to ensure all hotel operations run smoothly and knowing all individual aspects of the hotel is a requirement. They also delegate tasks to staff members and deal with all problems that require attention. Having solid leaderships skills ensures that all staff members feel confident in how the manager runs the hotel.

Salary figures reflect data listed on Indeed Salaries at the time of writing. Salaries may vary depending on the hiring organisation and a candidate's experience, academic background and location.

How much does a hotel manager make? (Plus duties and skills)