When you talk about hospitality, people first think of entry level jobs like busing tables, working as front desk clerk or housekeeper. But whether you enter the industry in one of these positions and work your way up or start your career further up the ladder, there are enviable positions where you can make a comfortable living if you are willing to put in the hard work.

In the hospitality industry there is frequently no clear career path to top positions. Some hiring managers prefer a hospitality or business degree but many don’t. If you are willing to pay your dues and  prove yourself on the job you will soon be on the road to success.

Hotel Manager. You can earn more than $100,000 a year in this role. To succeed, you’ll need a  well-rounded career history and the ability to prove that you know the ins and outs of the business . You’ll need to be an excellent manager to hire and retain strong employees in an industry known for high turnover and to always keep your eye on the bottom line. Salary depends on the size and location of the hotel or resort.

Casino General Manager.  If you are willing to take on the added  challenges of casino management, you can more than double the salary of a hotel manager. Prove yourself in operations or lower level management roles and be prepared to work long hours and odd shifts – casinos are a 24/7 business.

Catering Managers and Special Event Managers. These positions can pay $40-60,000 and up. Be prepared to wear a lot of hats. You’ll need negotiating skills to work with vendors, organizational skills to keep every aspect of the event on track  and people skills to keep everyone happy and confident that the event will go off without a hitch.

Executive Chef.  This position is responsible for all aspects of running a kitchen, from hiring kitchen staff to ordering product, to developing menus.  Typically, chefs work their way up through the ranks in the kitchen to the executive position, but  formal training at a culinary school can put you on the fast track to top dollar positions.

Sommelier. This career requires a high level of specialized expertise, people and sales skills. Your job is to know wine extensively and be  capable of educating and upselling the patrons to higher quality vintages. The base salary for this position is often $40-50,000, but can climb into six figures with commission.

Looking for your next hospitality job opportunity? Horizon Hospitality can help. Contact the recruiting team to launch your search for rewarding restaurant, hotel and resort opportunities nationwide.