Top 10 Highest Paying Hospitality Jobs in Illinois (2025 Edition)

Mar 26 / Gary Olding
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Illinois’ hospitality scene—especially in cities like Chicago—is booming, offering well-paid opportunities beyond the usual front-of-house roles. Whether you're climbing the ladder or looking for a new path, here's a breakdown of the top-paying hospitality jobs, including salaries, duties, tips, and employment data.

Our Top 10...

1. Hotel General Manager

Average Salary: $115,000/year
Tips: None
Duties: Oversee all hotel operations, budgeting, hiring, guest satisfaction.
People Employed in IL: Approx. 1,900
Current Openings: 150–200

2. Director of Food & Beverage

Average Salary: $115,000/year
Tips: No direct tips, occasional performance bonuses
Duties: Manage all F&B operations in hotels or resorts, control costs, train staff
People Employed in IL: Approx. 1,200
Current Openings: 100+

3. Executive Chef

Average Salary: $102,000/year
Tips: No direct tips; may receive bonuses or revenue share
Duties: Menu creation, kitchen management, quality control
People Employed in IL: Approx. 2,800
Current Openings: 250+

4. Hotel Sales Manager

Average Salary: $95,000/year (with commissions)
Tips: No direct tips
Duties: Secure bookings for rooms, events, and group sales
People Employed in IL: Approx. 1,500
Current Openings: 120+

5. Restaurant General Manager

Average Salary: $63,000–$80,000/year
Tips: Not typical, but some bonus structures include profit sharing
Duties: Run daily operations, hiring, training, cost control
People Employed in IL: Approx. 7,000
Current Openings: 600–800

6. Event Manager / Coordinator

Average Salary: $68,000/year
Tips: Occasionally for private clients; not regular
Duties: Plan, manage, and execute weddings, conferences, private events
People Employed in IL: Approx. 1,900
Current Openings: 150+

7. Sommelier

Average Salary: $68,000/year
Tips: Yes – usually shares tips with service team; estimated $100–$300/week extra
Duties: Curate wine lists, educate staff, assist guests with wine pairings
People Employed in IL: Approx. 200–300 (niche role)
Current Openings: 20–30

8. Front Office Manager (Hotels)

Average Salary: $60,000–$75,000/year
Tips: Sometimes shares in front desk tip pool
Duties: Manage front desk staff, reservations, guest experience
People Employed in IL: Approx. 2,400
Current Openings: 200+

9. Banquet Manager

Average Salary: $60,000/year
Tips: Yes – often receives gratuities for large events; varies
Duties: Coordinate banquet operations, staffing, event execution
People Employed in IL: Approx. 1,000
Current Openings: 100–150

10. Spa Manager

Average Salary: $54,000–$65,000/year
Tips: No, but may receive performance bonuses
Duties: Oversee spa services, staff, and guest satisfaction
People Employed in IL: Approx. 500
Current Openings: 50–70

(Source: BLS, hospitality industry reports)

Conclusion...

If you’re working in Illinois’s hospitality industry—or looking to break in—knowing where the highest earning potential lies can help you plan your next move. From executive chefs to hotel managers, the opportunities are out there, and many are hiring right now. Whether you're aiming for leadership, specialty roles, or simply higher pay, these top positions offer strong career paths with room to grow.

🚀 Start exploring current job openings at IllinoisHospitalityJobs.com and take the next step in your hospitality journey.

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