How to Become a Hotel Inspector
Research the steps you need to take to become a hotel inspector. Find out about normal job duties, key skills, and education and salary expectations to find out if this is the right career path for you.
Career Information At a Glance
A hotel inspector works closely with the executive housekeeper in hotels and similar properties to ensure that the rooms meet quality assurance guidelines for daily cleaning and long-term wear-and-tear. The inspector also assigns tasks and develops training protocols for personnel, and addresses guest complaints. Read on to learn more about this career path to see if it is right for you.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Required Education</b> </td><td> Minimum of a high school diploma, more education is preferred especially in fields such as hospitality, tourism, hotel administration, or food service management</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Other Requirements</b> </td><td> Previous experience in housekeeping (2+ years) or supervisory positions</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Key Skills</b></td><td> Time management, attention to detail, leadership and effective communication, basic math, ability to work alone</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Projected Job Growth (2020-2030)*</b></td><td> 9%</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)*</b></td><td> $56,670 (for all Lodging Managers)</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatKindOfEducationDoINeed"> What Kind of Education Do I Need?</h3><p>Many hotel inspector jobs only require a high school diploma or GED equivalent, but some do prefer an associate's or bachelor's degree. A degree in higher education can be in one of the many fields related to the tourism or business industries, especially in hospitality or management. As a hotel inspector is both customer-facing and back of the house, it is necessary for them to be able to think quickly and pay close attention to details, so it may be beneficial to obtain a degree that reflects these abilities.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatKindOfPreviousWorkExperienceShouldIHave"> What Kind of Previous Work Experience Should I Have?</h3><p>Most positions as a hotel inspector require at least a year of experience as a housekeeper, whether directly for a hotel or with a cleaning service. Independent motels, chain hotels, casinos, resorts, or cruise ships are all possible places to gain experience as a supervisor before becoming a hotel inspector. Accommodation establishments sometimes promote employees from within their housekeeping staff, and other times go with outside sources.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatSkillsDoINeed">What Skills Do I Need?</h3><p>Hotel inspectors need to be flexible with their time, as they must be prepared to work nights and/or weekends. They also must be quick learners and focused, as attention to detail is an important aspect of their job to ensure general health and safety standards are upheld. In addition, it may be necessary to memorize the varying standards for time expectations per room, style of finishing touches, and specific cleaning materials for multiple venues.
</p><h3 id="section---HowCanIImproveMySkillsOnTheJob"> How Can I Improve My Skills on the Job?</h3><p>Working with someone who is more experienced can be an excellent way of improving your leadership skills. This can be beneficial for learning how to manage a team, keeping track of metrics, organizing staff training, building awareness of legal obligations and safety procedures, or in learning how to respond to difficult inquiries. Mentorship may also be useful in adding visibility when applying for new positions.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatKindOfSalaryCanIExpect"> What Kind of Salary Can I Expect?</h3><p>Hotel inspectors may work for a chain of accommodation facilities or for an individual property. There are positions for lodging managers all over the country with heavier concentrations in states like Maine, Hawaii, and North Dakota, but according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those are not necessarily the highest paying locations. The median salary for all lodging managers is $56,670, but areas such as the District of Columbia, Colorado, and New Jersey all have mean wages above $90,000, though this is due possibly in part to higher tourism rates and a higher cost of living in general.</p>