U.S. hotels struggle with staffing shortages despite wage increases

While the industry has made progress, many hotels continue to struggle with unfilled positions, particularly in housekeeping and front desk roles

Hotels across the U.S. continue to struggle with staffing shortages, despite efforts to raise wages and offer new incentives. A recent survey by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Hireology found that 65% of hotels report ongoing hiring challenges, with employment levels still nearly 10% below pre-pandemic levels.

Key takeaways

• Ongoing staffing shortages: 65% of hotels report hiring challenges, down from 76% in May 2024;
• Vacancy rates remain high: More than 70% of hotels have unfilled positions, with an average of six to seven vacancies per property;
• Most affected positions: Housekeeping (38%) is the most difficult position to fill, followed by front desk (26%), culinary (14%) and maintenance (13%);
• Efforts to attract workers: Wage increases (47%), flexible scheduling (20%), hotel discounts (13%), and job fairs (9%) are key strategies;
• Long-term industry outlook: 72% of hoteliers believe that job prospects in the hospitality industry are as good or better than before the pandemic.

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