Accommodation

Career Ladder

Learn About The Accommodation Career Path

Advance your skills and learn what it takes to move up the Accommodation Career Ladder!

Each career level contains information about hourly wages, job descriptions, main job duties, examples of job titles, general skills, and links to educational courses and training opportunities. Select one of the levels to learn more.

To explore other career ladders, please visit our Career Ladders page. If you have further questions about local labour market information, email helpdesk@wdb.ca or visit wdb.ca.

Entrepreneur / Business Owner

MEDIAN HOURLY WAGE
Varies

Senior Managers In Trade, Broadcasting & Other Customer Services

$46.16

Accommodation Service Managers

$38.92

Accommodation Supervisors

$21.49

Hotel Guest Services Attendants

$20.74

Hotel Front Desk Clerks

$17.66

*median hourly wage as of October 1, 2024

Hotel Front Desk Clerks

Hourly
Wages

Low
$17.20

Median
$17.66

High
$19.72

hotel-clerks-phone

Main Job Duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Track vacancies, reservations and room assignments
  • Register arriving guests and assign rooms
  • Answer enquiries regarding hotel services and registration by email, by telephone and in person, provide information about services available in the community and respond to guests’ complaints
  • Compile and check daily record sheets, guest accounts, receipts and vouchers using computerized or manual systems
  • Present bills to departing guests and receive payment

Skills

Customer Service
Communication Skills
Reservations
Hospitality
Organizational Skills

Job Title Examples

Guest Services Agent
Hotel Concierge
Night Clerk
Room Clerk

Education & Training Resources

Completion of secondary school or equivalent is usually required.

Completion of a two-year apprenticeship program, or a college program in front desk operations or hotel management may be required.

SECONDARY SCHOOL
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) – Hospitality & Tourism

FLEMING COLLEGE
Academic Upgrading

Post-Secondary Education

OTEC – ONTARIO TOURISM EDUCATION CORPORATION

SERVICE PROVIDERS
Find your local employment service provider here or adult education and training provider here and contact them for current training programs such as:

  • Occupational-specific training, career planning, job search, resume writing, or government-funded programs
  • Upgrading and skills development including grade 12 support, customer service, money math, computers, and more

Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.

Hotel Guest Services Attendants

Hourly
Wages

Low
$17.20

Median
$20.74

High
$26.58

hotel-service-attendants-phone

Main Job Duties

  • Carry luggage for hotel guests, escort incoming guests to their rooms
  • Check rooms to ensure they are in order
  • Offer information regarding features of rooms, services of hotel and points of interest
  • Assist guests with special needs
  • Attend to group arrivals and departures
  • Receive and deliver items and messages for guests
  • Handle guest complaints and requests and maintain luggage storage areas

Skills

Customer Service
Communications
Hospitality
Attention to Detail
Loading & Unloading Luggage

Job Title Examples

Baggage Porter
Luggage Attendant
Bellhop

Education & Training Resources

ONTARIO COLLEGE DIPLOMA OR CERTIFICATE

OTEC – ONTARIO TOURISM EDUCATION CORPORATION

SERVICE PROVIDERS
Find your local employment service provider here or adult education and training provider here and contact them for current training programs such as:

  • Occupational-specific training, career planning, job search, resume writing, or government-funded programs
  • Upgrading and skills development including grade 12 support, customer service, money math, computers, and more

Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.

Accommodation Supervisors

Hourly
Wages

Low
$17.51

Median
$21.49

High
$27.90

accommodation-supers-phone

Main Job Duties

  • Co-ordinate, assign and review the work of hotel, motel and other accommodation services clerks, and other accommodation workers
  • Establish work schedules and procedures and co-ordinate activities with other work units or departments
  • Resolve work-related problems and prepare and submit progress and other reports
  • Hire and train staff in job duties, safety procedures and company policies
  • Order supplies and materials
  • Ensure smooth operation of computer systems, equipment and machinery, and arrange for maintenance and repair work
  • May perform the same duties as workers supervised

Skills

Customer Service
Management
Communication Skills
Operations
Problem Solving

Job Title Examples

Hotel Clerk Supervisor
Reservations Supervisor
Motel Managing Supervisor

Education & Training Resources

Completion of secondary school is usually required.

Completion of college courses related to the area supervised may be required.

Experience in the occupation supervised is usually required.

SECONDARY SCHOOL
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) – Hospitality & Tourism

FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education

ONTARIO COLLEGE DIPLOMA OR CERTIFICATE

OTEC – ONTARIO TOURISM EDUCATION CORPORATION

SERVICE PROVIDERS
Find your local employment service provider here or adult education and training provider here and contact them for current training programs such as:

  • Occupational-specific training, career planning, job search, resume writing, or government-funded programs
  • Upgrading and skills development including grade 12 support, customer service, money math, computers, and more

Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.

Accommodation Service Managers

Hourly
Wages

Low
$27.85

Median
$38.92

High
$49.59

accommodation-service-managers-phone

Main Job Duties

  • Develop, implement and evaluate policies and procedures for the operation of the establishment
  • Prepare budgets and monitor revenues and expenses
  • Participate in the development of pricing and promotional strategies
  • Negotiate with suppliers for the provision of materials and supplies
  • Recruit and supervise staff, oversee training and set work schedules
  • Resolve customer complaints

Skills

Management
Operations
Customer Service
Hospitality
Interpersonal Skills

Job Title Examples

Front Desk Manager
Hotel Manager
Motel Manager

Education & Training Resources

A university degree or college diploma in hotel management or other related discipline is usually required for managers employed by hotel chains or large accommodation establishments.

Several years of experience within the accommodation industry are usually required and may substitute for formal educational requirements.

SECONDARY SCHOOL
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) – Hospitality & Tourism

FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education

ONTARIO COLLEGE DIPLOMA OR CERTIFICATE

OTEC – ONTARIO TOURISM EDUCATION CORPORATION

SERVICE PROVIDERS
Find your local employment service provider here or adult education and training provider here and contact them for current training programs such as:

  • Occupational-specific training, career planning, job search, resume writing, or government-funded programs
  • Upgrading and skills development including grade 12 support, customer service, money math, computers, and more

Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.

Senior Managers In Trade, Broadcasting & Other Customer Services

Hourly
Wages

Low
$23.00

Median
$46.16

High
$105.64

senior-managers-broadcasting-phone

Main Job Duties

  • Establish objectives for the company and formulate or approve policies and programs
  • Authorize and organize the establishment of major departments and associated senior staff positions
  • Allocate material, human and financial resources to implement organizational policies and programs; establish financial and administrative controls; formulate and approve overall personnel planning
  • Select middle managers, directors or other executive staff
  • Co-ordinate the work of regions, divisions or departments
  • Represent the company, or delegate representatives to act on behalf of the company, in negotiations or other official functions

Skills

Management
Operations
Customer Service
Leadership
Strategic Planning

Job Title Examples

Hotel Chain Regional Vice-President
Hotel General Manager

Education & Training Resources

A university degree or college diploma in business administration, finance or other discipline related to the service provided is usually required.

Several years of experience as a middle manager within the accommodation industry are usually required.

Specialization in accommodations services is possible through specific university or college training or through previous experience.

SECONDARY SCHOOL
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) – Hospitality & Tourism

FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education

ONTARIO COLLEGE DIPLOMA OR CERTIFICATE

OTEC – ONTARIO TOURISM EDUCATION CORPORATION

SERVICE PROVIDERS
Find your local employment service provider here or adult education and training provider here and contact them for current training programs such as:

  • Occupational-specific training, career planning, job search, resume writing, or government-funded programs
  • Upgrading and skills development including grade 12 support, customer service, money math, computers, and more

Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.

Entrepreneurs / Business Owners

Approximately 1,450 new businesses are launched annually in the WDB Region.

entrepreneurs-accommodation-phone

Main Job Duties

  • Create and manage a business plan, including ongoing research and planning, and time management
  • Secure funding, maintain business bank accounts, payments processing, taxes and general bookkeeping
  • Develop marketing campaigns, manage social media and conduct other marketing activities
  • Respond to customer service inquiries, including answer phone calls and emails to build a positive reputation for the business

Skills

Work Independently
Customer Service
Organization
Time Management
Accounting

Job Title Examples

Small Business Owner
Franchisee

Education & Training Resources

ONTARIO SUMMER COMPANY
Grant for students aged 15 to 29 to start a new summer business
STARTER COMPANY PLUS
Grant for Canadians 18+ to start a new business or grow a business that has been in operations for fewer than five years
COMMUNITY FUTURES
Financing, mentorship and community support for local small businesses
INNOVATION CLUSTER
Supports entrepreneurs in the formation and growth of tech-driven companies

FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education

TRENT UNIVERSITY
Post-Secondary Education

otec-logo-CMYK
Tourism Skillsnet Ontario Logo

Ontario Tourism Education Corporation (OTEC) & Tourism SkillsNet Ontario (TSNO)
are proud to support the Accommodation Career Ladder.

Sources:
National Occupational Classification (NOC)
Lightcast (2023.3)
Job Bank
Job posting data is from WDB Local Jobs Hub (WDB Region)

This Employment Ontario project is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.

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