The hotel industry provides accommodations to travelers who require one or more nights of lodging. Smaller properties may only have a manager and one or two cleaners, while larger facilities boast dozens of positions with different specialties. The primary factor for salaries in this industry is the type of job.

Managers

Hotel managers have the ultimate responsibility for the success or failure of their lodgings because they coordinate budgets and operations to keep customers happy. They earn a median $46,300 annually, with a range of $28,450 to $85,600, which breaks down to $22.26 per hour, with a range of $13.68 to $41.15. The state with the best opportunities for this profession is Wyoming, with a concentration of 1.12 managers per thousand workers, but salaries average $19.34 per hour or $40,230 per year, which is below the median. The best pay is in Nevada, where new facilities are constructed constantly to attract travelers. Wages here are at $35.66 hourly or $74,180 yearly, though the concentration of 0.37 managers per worker is less than half that of Wyoming. All information is from the BLS as of May 2009.

Desk Clerks

Desk clerks are often the first members of the staff that a hotel guest encounters, because they register customers, assign them to rooms and issue room keys. They make a median $9.53 per hour, with a range of $7.48 or $14.05, which is a yearly salary of $19,820, with a range of $15,560 to $29,220. The state with the best employment for this profession is Wyoming, with a concentration of 5.11 clerks per thousand workers. The wages are close to the median at $9.52 per hour or $19,800 per year. Hawaii offers the highest-paying jobs, with rates at $16.30 per hour or $33,900 per year. However, the concentration of 3.98 jobs per hour is less than that of Wyoming.

Cleaners

Maids and housekeepers keep rooms presentable by making beds, vacuuming floors and cleaning bathrooms, among other duties. They receive a median $9.26 hourly, with a range of $7.41 to $14.04, or $19,250 yearly, with a range of $15,400 to $29,210. The city with the best employment for cleaners is Nevada, whose numerous hotel rooms require constant maintenance. It has a concentration of 18.48 cleaners per thousand workers, with a greater than median pay of $12.36 per hour or $25,700 per year. The highest-paying jobs are in the District of Columbia, with pay at $14.79 hourly or $30,770 yearly. However, the concentration of 7.62 cleaners per thousand is less than half that of Nevada.

Recreation Workers

Larger hotels may hire recreation workers such as social directors or children’s craft teachers to keep guests entertained during their stay. They make a median $10.71 per hour, with a range of $7.73 to $18.35, or $22,280 per year, with a range of $16,0700 to $38,170. The state offering the best opportunities for these employees is Rhode Island, with a concentration of 3.52 professionals per thousand workers. Compensation here is better than the median at $11.71 per hour or $24,360 per year. The highest-paying jobs are in the District of Columbia at $17.68 hourly or $36,760 yearly. However, employment here is at 1.40 professionals per thousand workers, which is less than half that of Rhode Island.