Prevailing Wage for Lodging Managers
Prevailing wage for Lodging Managers under SOC 11-9081 is set by the DOL using regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. Whether your title is Front Desk Manager, Guest Services Manager, or Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper, DOL assigns one of four experience levels, and the wage floor shifts considerably from city to city.
See all jobs for Lodging ManagersLook up your work address
Entry-level candidates with limited experience in lodging operations, typically following established procedures under direct supervision. This level applies to candidates new to management responsibilities in accommodation settings, often recent graduates or those transitioning from front-line hospitality roles.
The most common filing level for Lodging Managers. Applies to candidates with moderate experience handling daily operations, staff coordination, and guest relations with some independence. Most mid-career hotel or inn managers sponsored on H-1B or E-3 petitions fall here.
Experienced managers overseeing complex lodging operations, multiple departments, or larger properties with considerable autonomy. Candidates at this level typically bring a strong track record in revenue management, occupancy strategy, or multi-team supervision and require minimal oversight.
Fully competent senior managers directing all lodging operations at a strategic level, often responsible for property-wide performance, vendor relationships, and budget authority. This level covers General Managers and senior Front Office Directors at larger or high-volume properties.
Prevailing Wage for Lodging Managers by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
See all jobs for Lodging Managers
See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Lodging Managers and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
Search visa-sponsored jobsPrevailing Wage Guide for Lodging Managers
Verify your title maps to SOC 11-9081
Titles like Guest Relations Manager or Front Office Director can get misfiled under general operations SOC codes, shifting the prevailing wage floor. Confirm your employer's LCA cites SOC 11-9081 before signing any sponsored offer letter.
Account for resort-market wage gaps
Lodging Manager wages in high-tourism metros like Kahului and Urban Honolulu can run significantly above the national median at every level. If your offer is in a resort market, compare against that metro's floor, not the national figure.
Watch how performance bonuses are counted
Lodging Manager comp packages often include occupancy bonuses or revenue-sharing tied to property performance. DOL prevailing wage compliance is measured against guaranteed base pay, not variable bonuses, so confirm your base alone clears the floor.
Use Migrate Mate to find active sponsors
Hospitality sponsors for Lodging Managers are concentrated among hotel groups and resort chains. Migrate Mate shows which employers have actually sponsored this role before, so you can target companies with a real H-1B or E-3 filing history rather than starting from scratch.
Jobs for Lodging Managers are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for Lodging ManagersPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 11-9081.00 alongside Lodging Managers, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper Prevailing Wage
Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper Prevailing Wage
Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper positions fall under SOC 11-9081.00 (Lodging Managers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Front Desk Manager Prevailing Wage
Front Desk Manager Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Front Desk Manager for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 11-9081.00 (Lodging Managers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Front Office Director Prevailing Wage
Front Office Director Prevailing Wage
Front Office Director is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 11-9081.00 (Lodging Managers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Front Office Manager Prevailing Wage
Front Office Manager Prevailing Wage
Front Office Manager positions fall under SOC 11-9081.00 (Lodging Managers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Guest Relations Manager Prevailing Wage
Guest Relations Manager Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Guest Relations Manager for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 11-9081.00 (Lodging Managers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Guest Services Manager Prevailing Wage
Guest Services Manager Prevailing Wage
Guest Services Manager is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 11-9081.00 (Lodging Managers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Hotel Manager Prevailing Wage
Hotel Manager Prevailing Wage
Hotel Manager positions fall under SOC 11-9081.00 (Lodging Managers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Night Manager Prevailing Wage
Night Manager Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Night Manager for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 11-9081.00 (Lodging Managers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Resort Manager Prevailing Wage
Resort Manager Prevailing Wage
Resort Manager is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 11-9081.00 (Lodging Managers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Rooms Director Prevailing Wage
Rooms Director Prevailing Wage
Rooms Director positions fall under SOC 11-9081.00 (Lodging Managers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Lodging Managers?
DOL calculates prevailing wages using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics across regional labor markets. For SOC 11-9081, the OFLC applies a four-level matrix based on experience and job complexity. Employers sponsoring a Lodging Manager must certify on the Labor Condition Application that the offered wage meets or exceeds the applicable level for the worksite location.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which applies to me?
The four levels reflect increasing experience and independence. Level 1 covers entry-level candidates under close supervision. Level 2 applies to qualified professionals handling standard operations with moderate autonomy and is the most common level for sponsored Lodging Managers. Level 3 covers experienced managers with broader scope. Level 4 is reserved for fully competent senior leaders directing operations at a strategic level. Your employer assigns the level on the LCA based on the actual job duties.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same Lodging Manager role vary so much by city?
DOL derives prevailing wages from regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, so each metro area reflects local labor market conditions. A Lodging Manager position in a high-cost resort market like Napa or Kahului commands a much higher floor than the same role in Little Rock or Fort Smith. The LCA must cite the actual worksite address, so if you work at a specific property, that property's metro wage applies, not a national average.
What happens if an employer offers a salary below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
An employer cannot certify a compliant LCA if the offered wage falls below the prevailing wage floor for the applicable level and worksite. USCIS will not approve the H-1B or E-3 petition without a certified LCA. If a discrepancy is discovered after approval, the employer faces potential DOL back-pay liability and debarment from future sponsorship. Candidates should request a copy of the certified LCA to confirm the wage level before the petition is filed.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a Lodging Manager role in a specific U.S. city?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool, which allows you to look up current prevailing wages by SOC code and metropolitan area. Enter SOC 11-9081 and the metro closest to your worksite to see all four level wages. Cross-reference with OFLC disclosure data for your employer's recent LCA filings to confirm the level they intend to use. Migrate Mate surfaces employers with documented H-1B and E-3 sponsorship history for Lodging Managers, helping you identify which hotel groups and hospitality companies have filed before.
See which employers are hiring and sponsoring visas for Lodging Managers right now.
Search Jobs for Lodging Managers