The hotel industry is one of the biggest industries in the world that hires international students. During your studies, you can choose to work part-time, and after graduation, apply for full-time jobs in hotels. Once you get a job offer, it becomes easier for you to stay back in the country. You become eligible to apply for a work permit in your destination country. In this blog, we have covered the highest-paying jobs in hotels for international students. These jobs require experience and the necessary skills. Read our list, and aim for the most well-paying job that is of interest to you.
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Top 7 Highest-Paying Jobs in Hotels
These are the top seven highest-paying jobs in the hotel industry. These are not entry-level jobs. They require you to have experience. However, you can take up entry-level jobs in the beginning and aim for these jobs. These high-paying jobs will give you a sufficient salary, using which you can meet the minimum salary criteria required for work permits, and even PR.
Hotel General Manager
One of the highest-paying jobs in hotels is that of a general manager. The general managers are paid well because they are responsible for all the operations of a hotel. They manage the staff, oversee the guest experience, and ensure that all the needs of the guests are taken care of. The hotel general manager also acts as the brand ambassador and supports the goals of the organisation. As general manager, you will even have to plan and present data to the hotel owner, set budget goals, and monitor spending and financial outlooks.
| Salary | USD 57,967 per year |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management, Business Administration, or equivalent experience |
| Experience | 5–7 years in hotel operations and leadership roles |
| Skills Required | Leadership, financial management, guest-service excellence, strategic planning, communication |
Restaurant Manager
A restaurant manager is one of the highest-paying jobs in hotels and restaurants. Restaurant managers are needed in hotels that have 1 or more in-house dining outlets. The roles and responsibilities of a restaurant manager are similar to those of a general manager. You need to oversee the dining outlets, manage the staff, maintain service quality, and coordinate with the kitchen workers to ensure guest satisfaction. As a restaurant manager, you will also have to handle the inventory, budgets, and ensure that health and safety regulations are being met.
| Salary | USD 59,241 per year |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Business, or equivalent practical experience |
| Experience | 3–5 years in restaurant supervisory roles |
| Skills Required | Team leadership, inventory management, customer service, scheduling, cost analysis |
Event Manager
The event manager’s job profile also comes under the list of the highest-paying jobs in hotels for international students. The hotel event managers plan and coordinate events like weddings, conferences, banquets and corporate meetings that are hosted there. They work closely with clients to understand their requirements and to ensure that every detail is taken care of. For example, things like catering, accommodation, technician support, and even decor. Moreover, collaborating with various hotel departments is essential.
| Salary | USD 57,964 per year |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Marketing, or related field |
| Experience | 2–4 years in event planning and coordination |
| Skills Required | Organisation, communication, negotiation, problem-solving, and time management |
Food Service Director
A food service director is responsible for overseeing the food and beverage operations. They ensure efficient management and high-quality service. Generally, a food service manager is responsible for hiring and training restaurant staff, maintaining inventory levels, managing payrolls, and creating work schedules for staff. As a food service director, you will have to work with chefs and restaurant managers. You may even have to assist with guest service if required. You must have leadership skills required to ensure the smooth running of dining operations.
| Salary | USD 60,398 per year |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s degree in Food Service Management, Nutrition, Hospitality, or equivalent |
| Experience | 5+ years managing food service operations |
| Skills Required | People management, menu strategy, inventory control, financial oversight, and compliance |
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Executive Chef
Executive chefs are highly skilled and highly paid. They work in the hotel kitchen and oversee the kitchen operations. Moreover, an executive chef hires, manages, and trains staff. They ensure that the quality of the food is maintained, plan the menu and drink pairings, and coordinate tasks for other team members. They also get feedback on the service and food quality. A hotel’s reputation highly depends on the quality of the food served. Therefore, their positions are among the highest-paying jobs in hotels.
| Salary | USD 74,816 per year |
| Educational Qualification | Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts or equivalent apprenticeship |
| Experience | 7–10 years of culinary experience with leadership responsibilities |
| Skills Required | Culinary expertise, kitchen leadership, cost management, creativity, hygiene standards |
Sommelier
Sommerlier is also one of the highest-paying jobs in hotels. They are responsible for managing the wine offerings. A sommelier would create the wine lists, maintain the wine stock, and rotate it, make recommendations for wine pairings to customers and waitstaff. They also order wine from vineyards and other wine producers. The job of a Sommelier is suitable for you if you have a passion for wine, have strong communication skills, and enjoy talking to people. You can even choose to enrol in certification programs to demonstrate your knowledge of wine.
| Salary | USD 68,275 per year |
| Educational Qualification | Court of Master Sommeliers or WSET certification. A Hospitality degree optional |
| Experience | 3–5 years in fine-dining service or wine program |
| Skills Required | Wine knowledge, tasting proficiency, customer engagement, sales, and staff training |
Housekeeping Supervisor
Housekeeping supervisors are also well paid. They have some of the highest-paying jobs in hotel industry. Housekeeping supervisors are responsible for training and motivating all housekeeping staff, ensuring that the safety and sanitation guidelines are being met, reporting maintenance issues, and addressing guest complaints. As a housekeeping supervisor, you need leadership skills, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills.
| Salary | USD 36,056 per year |
| Educational Qualification | High school diploma or equivalent. Those with hospitality or housekeeping certifications are preferred |
| Experience | 2–3 years supervising housekeeping teams |
| Skills Required | Attention to detail, leadership, time management, communication, and budget monitoring |
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6 Benefits of Working in the Hotel Industry for International Students
There are several benefits of working in the hotel industry for international students. Some of these benefits are provided below:
- Global job mobility: International chains like Hilton, Marriott, and IHG are situated all over the world. As an international student, you can get the highest-paying jobs in hotels in one country, acquire transferable skills, and then apply them in another. Thus, you can transfer within a brand across borders.
- Ease of entry-level jobs: The entry-level jobs in the hotel industry, like those of an event coordinator, front desk executive, housekeeper, and beverage server,are easy to obtain in almost every other country.
- Career progression and fast promotions: Most of the hotel companies have structured training programs. Moreover, they provide a clear path for promotions. If you excel at your job, you can quickly move up to managerial roles.
- Part-time work options: You can easily get a part-time job as an international student in hotels. Hotels are operational 24/7, making them the perfect place for part-time employment.
- Language practice and cultural exposure: The Hotel industry gives you language exposure. You can talk and connect with people from all over the world. Thus, you can practise English or even their local language.
- Pathway to Permanent Residency/work permits: Getting a decent job in hotels means that you can fulfil the immigration criteria for a skilled-based job. Working long-term makes you eligible for permanent residency.
Top 5 Hotels Hiring International Students Worldwide
The following are the top five hotels in the world that hire international talent. To apply, ensure you meet the job requirements, are qualified, and have the necessary permit to work in the country. They offer some of the highest-paying jobs in hotels.
| S/N | Hotel Chain | Opportunities for International Students | Global Presence |
| 1 | Marriott International | Offers a wide range of internships and career entry programs for students worldwide | Operates in 130+ countries |
| 2 | Hilton Hotels & Resorts | Provides structured internships and graduate pathways tailored to aspiring hoteliers | Present in over 120 nations |
| 3 | Hyatt Hotels Corporation | Welcomes international students through internship roles and future leadership tracks | Active in more than 60 countries |
| 4 | Accor Hotels | Runs global apprenticeship and internship schemes to support hospitality learners | Locations in 110+ countries |
FAQs
The highest salaries in hotels usually range from USD 300,000–USD 500,000 per year. These salaries are mainly given to the top executives of the company. For example, a regional director or a general manager.
The hotel job that pays the most is the job of a general manager. Top-level positions such as the VP of Operations or the CEO of a hotel also earn the most.
Executive Management and Finance departments are the departments that are paid the most. Some of the highest-paying jobs in hotels in these departments are: general manager, director of operations, and financial controller.
The highest position in a hotel is often that of a general manager. A general manager is responsible for overseeing the operations of the entire hotel. A higher-level position on top of the general manager is that of regional directors and CEOs.
Some of the best jobs in a hotel are those of a general manager, chef, and sales director. The management roles in operations and finance pay the best.
Marriott International is currently earning the most. They operate thousands of properties across the luxury and mid-scale segments. IHG and Hilton hotels come second.
There is no single department that is best in the hotel industry. However, the sales and marketing department is considered crucial for the hotel industry.
Definitely! Pursuing a career in the hotel industry is a good idea. The jobs are suitable for those who have interpersonal skills and enjoy customer service. The industry offers immense opportunities for growth, personal development, and travel.
General Manager is the top job for hotel management graduates. Other strong options include Front Office Manager, Revenue Manager, and F&B Director. Jobs with leadership responsibility and guest impact are most rewarding.
Switzerland is the country that pays the highest salaries for hospitality. The country has a solid luxury market. Singapore, the UAE, and the USA also offer the highest salaries for those who work in the hospitality industry.
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As an international student, you can start with entry-level jobs in the hotel industry. Career progression is fast. Therefore, if you obtain the necessary qualifications and experience, you can apply for the highest-paying jobs in hotels. Once you get a job offer, you can apply for a work permit in the country. The job offers you high salaries; therefore, you can easily meet the financial requirements for a permit. If you stay for long, you might even become eligible for Permanent residency.
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