Working as a Hospitality Manager
Industry Overview
British Columbia’s tourism sector is important to the economy by providing nearly 154,400 jobs. In 2023, there were 5,095 people employed as Hospitality Managers in BC. The majority of these jobs are located in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. However, both Vancouver Island and the Thompson/Okanagan regions also provide significant employment in this industry. BC’s interior is home to a growing number of world-class ski resorts and wineries which is attracting increasing numbers of tourists.
Employment Outlook in BC
Hospitality Managers (Accommodation Service Managers)
Chart from WorkBC
Hospitality Service Managers are identified as a high opportunity occupation by WorkBC. JobBank Canada reports that the employment outlook in BC is very good for this occupation for the 2023-2025 period.
Source: JobBank Canada
WorkBC provides job openings in BC regions from 2023-2033:
| Region | 2023 Estimated Employment | Average Annual % Change, 2023 to 2033 | 2023-2033 Estimated # of Openings |
| Vancouver Island | 1130 | 1.7% | 890 |
| Lower Mainland / Southwest | 2280 | 1.4% | 1600 |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 940 | 1.4% | 490 |
| Kootenay | 370 | -0.6% | 150 |
| Cariboo | 150 | 2.3% | 110 |
| North Coast & Nechako | 145 | -0.1% | 70 |
| Northeast | 90 | 1.5% | 100 |
You can learn more about working as a Hospitality Manager in BC from:
Types of Employers
Hospitality/accommodation service managers are employed by hotels, motels, resorts, student residences, and other accommodation establishments, or they may be self-employed.
Typically hotels, resorts, and other types of accommodation are located in larger towns and cities, but they are also found at or near popular tourist sites that may be outside urban areas. Fishing or hunting lodges, guest ranches and similar types of accommodation may be found in rural or wilderness areas. The facilities may range in size from small boutique hotels with exclusive clientele to very large destination resorts. The hotels are a mix of independent owners and multi-national chains.
Salary
In BC, the annual median salary for Hospitality / Accommodation Managers is $64,174. Your income may vary greatly depending on the size and location of the hotel. Larger establishments in big cities may pay considerably more. In BC, provincial hourly rate can range from a low of $18.50/hr to median of $30.77/hr and up to high of $60.10/hr.
Hospitality Managers are paid a yearly salary, and some may receive performance-based bonuses or profit sharing. This means that the more money the hotel makes, the larger the manager’s bonus. This can add up to around 25% of your salaries.
In addition to their salaries, hotel managers usually receive benefits, including health coverage, paid sick leave, and paid vacation time. Some managers also receive perks, such as free meals, accommodation, and laundry service.
Sources: WorkBC and Career Cruising
In BC regions, you can expect to earn:
Source: Job Bank Wage Report
Working Hours
In general, hotel managers work 10 to 12 hours a day. Evening and weekend work is common, although this can vary depending on the location and size of the hotel and the time of year.
In addition, hotel managers may be on call 24 hours a day. Even if you work from 8:00am to 6:00pm, you may have to stay another 4 hours to make sure that an event is successful. If there is an emergency during the night, managers may have to come in to handle the crisis.
Source: Career Cruising - Profile for “Hotel Manager”