Indianapolis Colts
Millbrook High School
Frederick County Public Schools
For more information about other CTE students who have found inspiration and exciting careers within this career cluster, see Student Profiles: Hospitality & Tourism.
Data Snapshot
The Data Snapshot for Hospitality & Tourism (PDF) helps educators, students and parents see connections between the Plans of Study and career opportunities in high-skill, high wage, in-demand fields.
Hospitality & Tourism encompasses the management, marketing and operations of restaurants and other foodservices, lodging, attractions, recreation events and travel related services.
There should be a greater need for chefs and head cooks as the population grows and people’s incomes increase. It is becoming more common for consumers to demand healthier food at restaurants, cafeterias, and grocery stores, so experienced chefs will be needed to help prepare these meals. Recreation workers lead leisure activities in recreation facilities, including playgrounds, parks, camps, and aquatic centers. As more resources are put toward fighting childhood obesity, more recreation workers will be needed to help guide children through physical activities. The need for food service managers is expected to increase because people will continue to eat out during this time period, so managers will be needed to supervise food establishments.
Employment Projections: 2016-2026*
The Hospitality & Tourism cluster, which employed approximately 486,200 Virginians in 2016, is expected to employ about 58,400 more in 2026, for a total of 544,600. Based on Trailblazers calculations using data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
, this represents about 10 percent growth over the decade, which exceeds the anticipated 9 percent average growth nationally among all occupations in this cluster. This cluster is also expected to have over 88,000 job openings within the commonwealth annually, which is the highest number of all clusters.
*NOTE: The methodology for classifying occupations within the cluster/pathway system has been updated since the previous data cycle (2014-24), so 2016-26 Trailblazers employment projection data may not be comparable to data from previous cycles.
For more information on occupations in the Hospitality & Tourism Cluster, visit Trailblazers – Career and Technical Education in Virginia(PDF).
| Selected Occupation(s) | Employed in Virginia 2016 |
2017 Median Wage | Predominant Level of Education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers | 92,416 | $18,960 | High School Diploma & Training/Certification |
| Waiters and Waitresses | 70,206 | $20,010 | High School Diploma & Training/Certification |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaner | 65,229 | $23,650 | High School Diploma & Training/Certification |
| Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 33,235 | $21,210 | High School Diploma & Training/Certification |
| Cooks, Restaurant | 32,857 | $23,590 | High School Diploma & Training/Certification & Work experience |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | 26,253 | $33,590 | High School Diploma & Work experience |
| Food Preparation Workers | 18,834 | $20,580 | High School Diploma & Training/Certification |
| Dishwashers | 12,153 | $19,980 | High School Diploma & Training/Certification |
| Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop |
11,914 | $19,540 | High School Diploma & Training/Certification |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop |
11,150 | $19,720 | High School Diploma & Training/Certification |
- Wage data: United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, Virginia Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, May 2017.
- Employment projections data: Virginia Employment Commission, Virginia Long-Term Occupational Projections, 2016-2026.
- Predominant education level: Trailblazers through the Demographics and Workforce Section of the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia.
Career Cluster Planning
A resource for counselors, administrators, and educators
CTE VERSO – includes information to help local school divisions plan and schedule instructional programs. VERSO is organized by program area, with a complete listing of courses, concentration sequences, and credentials available to students as they plan for career entry and continuing education. Users may access course information by cluster or by searching for specific courses or certifications.
Academic and Career Plans of Study
Development Information
Information and tips for instructional leaders, administrators, counselors and teachers/faculty for creating a career pathway academic and career plan of study.
- Hospitality & Tourism Cluster Information
- Checklist for Developing Career Clusters Plans of Study (Word)
Sample Academic and Career Plans of Study
School divisions are asked to develop sample plans of study based on the courses offered within their schools, the employment needs of the region, and the post-high school educational opportunities needed for these careers. Once these sample plans are developed, they can be customized to the needs of individual students so that all students have the opportunity to have an individualized academic and career plan of study.
Sample Pathway Plans of Study for Hospitality & Tourism:
- Lodging (Word)
- Recreation, Amusements & Attractions (Word)
- Restaurants and Food / Beverage Services (Word)
- Travel & Tourism (Word)
- Blank Plan of Study (with fields) (Word)
Also see Sample Plans of Study for all clusters and pathways.
Cluster Analysis Document for Virginia
Report: Education, Employment and Earnings: Analyzing Data from Hospitality & Tourism
Resources
- National Restaurant Association
- American Society of Travel Agents
- Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association
The Career Clusters logo and its extensions are the property of the National Career Technical Foundation, as managed by NASDCTEc. Some content on this page is from the publication, R U College & Career Ready? - 2017 Edition; and is used here with permission from the Virginia Business Publications LLC and Trailblazers in the Demographics and Workforce Section of the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia.