How long does it take to become a lodging manager?

Typically no schooling after high school, then less than 5 years of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do lodging managers make?

The US median is $69,250 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree to become a lodging manager?

No. Most people are hired and trained on the job; a program is optional.

Where can you train to become a lodging manager?

473 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

🎓 My University View

Home › Careers › Lodging managers

How to become a lodging manager

Management · SOC 11-9081

$69,250US median pay, 2025

+3.8%Projected growth, 2025–35

5,500Openings per year

On the jobUsual way in

How you get in

Most people are hired and trained on the job, so school is optional. A program can still help you stand out.

High school diploma or equivalent (a program is optional for this job)
Less than 5 years of experience in a related job
Work as a lodging manager

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Hospitality Administration/Management, General	CIP 52.0901	373
Hotel/Motel Administration/Management	CIP 52.0904	97
Restaurant/Food Services Management	CIP 52.0905	45
Hotel, Motel, and Restaurant Management	CIP 52.0909	44
Hospitality Administration/Management, Other	CIP 52.0999	29
Resort Management	CIP 52.0906	13

See the 473 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does it take to become a lodging manager?: Typically no schooling after high school, then less than 5 years of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do lodging managers make?: The US median is $69,250 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree to become a lodging manager?: No. Most people are hired and trained on the job; a program is optional.
Where can you train to become a lodging manager?: 473 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

Related careers in Management

General and operations managers · Managers, all other · Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers · Financial managers · Medical and health services managers · Computer and information systems managers · Construction managers · Sales managers