| Resort Manager Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Education | 2-4 Years |
| Job Outlook | 4% |
Resort Managers are professionals who are experienced in running resort lodgings and providing a high level of customer service to their clients.
Resort Managers provide customer service to their clients, supervise their employees and also provide basic human resources such as hiring new talent.
These professionals may at times work in a fast paced environment depending on the level of activity occurring at their facility.
Individuals who want to become a Resort Manager will need a strong background showing a combination of personal skills and educational degrees.
Individuals who are successful in this field will have strong organization skills, have interpersonal skills to work directly with other employees and clients and an in depth knowledge of the hospitality industry.
Table of Contents
Education Requirements to Become a Resort Manager
Individuals who want to become a Resort Manager may enter this field with a minimum of a high school diploma and experience in the accommodations field.
However, individuals are encouraged to complete a postsecondary degree and gain experience in the field in order to have better job prospects; larger resorts and hotels seek candidates who have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree.
Individuals who want to become a Resort Manager will have better job prospects if they complete a bachelor’s program.
Degrees in Hospitality, Hotel Management or a closely related field are highly recommended degrees.
These programs typically focus on courses in: hotel maintenance and engineering, food service management and catering, housekeeping, marketing, accounting and hotel administration.
Because the hospitality industry relies heavily on computer software for managing operations such as: housekeeping management, reservations and billing, individuals are encouraged to take additional courses in computer training.
Individuals seeking a career at a smaller resort have the option to complete an associate’s degree or gain on the job experience through an entry level position.
Some associate’s programs may offer individuals the opportunity to secure a degree in restaurant, hospitality or hotel management.
Individuals may also seek an entry level position and then work their way up by gaining experience.
Resort Manager Job Description
Resort Managers are responsible for providing administrative support for their employer and customer service assistance to clients.
They are responsible for a variety of duties that help manage the resort including hiring new staff, housekeeping and guest services.
Some day to day duties provided by Resort Managers are listed below:
- Lodging management
- Food and beverage management
- Human resources
- Attractions
- Finances
- Promotions
- Quality Control
Because Resort Managers are responsible for the overall success of the establishment, they may be required to work evenings, weekends, holidays and extended hours during the holiday seasons or times when travel is high.
Some administrative work includes accounting, marketing and ordering supplies and products.
They will also hire contractors for repairs.
Customer service duties include greeting customers, conduct inspections and resolve any guest issues.
Human resource duties may include hiring and training new staff, delegate instructions to employees and conduct reviews.
Resort Manager Salary and Career Path
In 2012, the median annual salary for all Lodging Managers, which includes Resort Managers, was approximately $46,810 per year.
Exact wages will depend on a variety of factors including geographical location, industry type and shift types; because resorts and lodges are required to run round the clock, this may require some Resort Managers to work the graveyard shift.
The job outlook for Lodging Managers is expected to have little or no growth; this growth is considered much slower than average when compared to other professions.
Job opportunities are expected to increase by approximately 1 percent through the year 2022.
There are many factors contributing to this growth including reducing the number of managers at larger hotels.
Individuals are encouraged to complete a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in order to be competitive in this field.
Resort Managers work in the hospitality industry and provide customer service and human resources support for their employer.
Individuals who enjoy working with individuals in a client oriented environment as well as providing administrative support may find that this career is a good fit for them.
Individuals with a bachelor’s degree in hospitality of hotel management have the best prospects for entering this field.
The below information is based on the 2023 BLS national averages.
National Average Salary
$129,330Average Salary by State
| State | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $129,310 |
| Alaska | $120,820 |
| Arizona | $113,800 |
| Arkansas | $87,790 |
| California | $155,170 |
| Colorado | $156,210 |
| Connecticut | $155,870 |
| Delaware | $169,020 |
| District of Columbia | $174,250 |
| Florida | $130,720 |
| Georgia | $123,900 |
| Hawaii | $124,640 |
| Idaho | $85,750 |
| Illinois | $129,590 |
| Indiana | $129,530 |
| Iowa | $95,160 |
| Kansas | $108,470 |
| Kentucky | $97,500 |
| Louisiana | $122,050 |
| Maine | $107,810 |
| Maryland | $126,410 |
| Massachusetts | $149,870 |
| Michigan | $118,150 |
| Minnesota | $114,490 |
| Mississippi | $101,150 |
| Missouri | $98,520 |
| Montana | $100,320 |
| Nebraska | $99,080 |
| Nevada | $125,990 |
| New Hampshire | $139,120 |
| New Jersey | $180,890 |
| New Mexico | $120,760 |
| New York | $165,000 |
| North Carolina | $132,590 |
| North Dakota | $112,780 |
| Ohio | $115,950 |
| Oklahoma | $103,270 |
| Oregon | $113,080 |
| Pennsylvania | $121,610 |
| Rhode Island | $145,620 |
| South Carolina | $108,710 |
| South Dakota | $144,880 |
| Tennessee | $121,270 |
| Texas | $122,650 |
| Utah | $106,910 |
| Vermont | $106,070 |
| Virginia | $138,980 |
| Washington | $144,420 |
| West Virginia | $94,150 |
| Wisconsin | $141,910 |
| Wyoming | $117,030 |
| Guam | $73,870 |
| Puerto Rico | $93,730 |
| Virgin Islands | $95,290 |
The top earning state in the field is New Jersey, where the average salary is $180,890.
These are the top 5 highest-paying states in the field:
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a resort manager do?
A resort manager, basically, manages all aspects of a resort.
Typically resort managers have duties in 3 main areas – customer service; human resources; daily operations, finances, and marketing.
No wonder, resort managers often end up working during the weekends and even at night.
The main responsibilities of a resort manager include overseeing product stocking, accounting, and marketing efforts; hiring contractors; remedying various problems; maintaining high-quality facilities; hiring, training, and scheduling new staff members, and so on.
A resort manager can work in a hostel, hotel, inn, resort or bed-and-breakfast.
In case a resort manager works in a big hotel, he or she will have assistant managers to help with the various departments.
How much do resort managers make?
On average, a resort manager can make a little less than $48.000 per year in the United States.
In case you decide to choose this career path, you can expect to earn anywhere between $27.000 and $83.000 annually.
The salary would certainly depend on a variety of factors – your education and experience level, the employer, the location, and so on.
The professionals that work in Florida, for example, have the highest average salaries.
An entry-level resort manager can earn around $41.500 per year, while a top-level specialist with plenty of experience can make $58.500 and more per year.
How much does it cost to become a resort manager?
In most cases, you would need a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management in order to become a resort manager for a large commercial hotel chain.
However, community colleges also offer certificate programs and associate’s degrees in hospitality management.
A year in a university can cost you anywhere between $8.000 and $45.000 (and more); the cost depends on a variety of factors (bear in mind that the books, supplies, and accommodation expenses are not included).
There are plenty of certificate programs both online and offline; you can find a course free of charge. however, some offline certificate programs might cost thousands of dollars.
What is the demand for resort managers?
Between 2016 and 2026, the resort manager job market is expected to increase by 4%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
That is just a little slower than the average for all occupations in the United States.
Bear in mind that the competition in the industry is extremely strong.
Promotion opportunities are more common at large and franchised resorts.
The candidates that possess plenty of experience in the field will have better chances of getting the highest-paid job.
How long does it take to become a resort manager?
A certificate program can be completed in 6-12 months, while an associate’s degree in hospitality management will take you 1-2 years to obtain.
In case you decide to go for a bachelor’s degree, it will take you 4 years to acquire one.
You can consider seeking an internship during your last year in university to get that on-job experience as the majority of employers prefer the candidates to have at least a few years of experience.
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