Los Angeles, California–(Newsfile Corp. – June 25, 2025) – New employment data analyzed by OysterLink shows a clear divide in the hiring trends between entry-level and advanced roles in the hospitality industry. While frontline service jobs continue to dominate in sheer volume, several leadership and skilled roles are quietly gaining ground, offering more stable paths for those willing to upskill.
OysterLink
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OysterLink analyzed data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from 2020 to 2024, tracking wage changes, employment shifts, and long-term projections across 17 common hospitality roles. The findings show that while demand remains high for essential service jobs, growth among mid- and high-level roles is accelerating – and, in some cases, outpacing entry-level positions.
“This report helps workers think long-term,” said Milos Eric, co-founder and general manager of OysterLink. “While entry-level jobs are easier to land, several advanced roles are catching up in job creation — and they come with stronger pay and longer careers.”
Entry-Level Still Dominates, But for How Long?
Jobs like waiters, cooks, fast-food workers, and dishwashers continue to see strong hiring numbers. These roles are accessible, offer fast entry, and account for the largest volume of projected openings:
Waiter/Waitress: 471,200 projected openings per year
Fast-Food Worker: 912,400 per year
Cook: 257,700 per year
Dishwasher: 80,500 per year
From 2020 to 2024, these roles also saw notable pay increases – up nearly 28% for cooks and 39.6% for waiters. But wage ceilings remain low overall, with average 2024 salaries still under $40,000.
The strong demand for these positions is partially driven by high turnover and the constant need for large service teams, especially in fast-paced or seasonal environments.
Advanced Roles Are Growing Faster Than Expected
At the same time, leadership and specialized roles — once seen as limited in opportunity — are now gaining ground. Several advanced positions have experienced significant increases in employment over the past four years, with further growth anticipated through 2033.
Chef: +79.64% employment growth (2020-2024), 24,600 projected openings/year
Hotel Manager: +30.07% employment growth, $77,460 avg. salary
Event Planner: +22.65% growth, with 16,500 openings/year
Restaurant Manager: +23.97% growth, 44,500 openings/year
Chefs had the highest employment growth across all job titles studied — outpacing even bartenders and line cooks. Hotel managers continue to lead in average salary, while event planners are seeing steady expansion as demand returns for in-person and hybrid events.
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