Despite Efforts, U.S. Hotels Struggle with a 65% Staffing Shortage

Despite efforts to increase wages and broaden benefits, 65% of U.S. hotels continue to experience staffing shortages, according to a survey conducted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and AHLA Gold Partner Hireology. This figure, however, marks a decrease from the 76% shortage reported in May 2024.

Since the pandemic, the hospitality sector has prioritized rebuilding its workforce. Incentives such as higher pay, flexible working hours, and hotel discounts have decreased the percentage of hotels reporting staffing shortages. However, despite these efforts, 9% of surveyed hotels still describe themselves as «severely understaffed.»

The hospitality industry faces the dual challenge of staffing shortages and retaining existing talent. According to Hireology Co-Founder & CEO Adam Robinson, while wage increases and other efforts are positive steps, to attract and retain the necessary workforce, career mobility and clear paths for advancement must be prioritized.

In the survey, 71% of hotels reported having job openings they could not fill despite active searches, with an average of six to seven open positions per property. The most significant shortages were in housekeeping (38%), followed by front desk roles (26%). Hotels also reported difficulty finding workers for culinary positions (14%) and maintenance roles (13%).

To attract and retain workers, hotels most commonly offer higher wages (47%). Approximately 20% of surveyed hotels offer flexible working hours, 13% provide hotel discounts, and 9% participate in job fairs and advertising.

Despite the challenges, 72% of those surveyed believe that career opportunities in hospitality are better than ever or at the same levels since the pandemic. AHLA continues to advocate for policies and legislative changes that expand workforce opportunities.

The AHLA Foundation also administers workforce development initiatives to help hotels fill open jobs and raise awareness of the industry’s 200+ career pathways. These include the Hospitality Sector Registered Apprenticeship program, a partnership with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, and the Empowering Youth Program, which recruits young adults for entry-level hotel positions.

The survey, dubbed the Front Desk Feedback survey, included 282 hoteliers and was conducted between December 6, 2024, and January 3, 2025. Despite the daunting challenges, the industry remains committed to creating good jobs for millions of Americans and ensuring a policy environment that supports these efforts.