Latest news with #OysterLink
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
OysterLink Report: Advanced Hospitality Roles Are Outpacing Entry-Level
Los Angeles, California--(Newsfile Corp. - June 25, 2025) - New employment data analyzed by OysterLink shows a clear divide in the hiring trends between entry-level and advanced roles in the hospitality industry. While frontline service jobs continue to dominate in sheer volume, several leadership and skilled roles are quietly gaining ground, offering more stable paths for those willing to upskill. OysterLink To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: OysterLink analyzed data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from 2020 to 2024, tracking wage changes, employment shifts, and long-term projections across 17 common hospitality roles. The findings show that while demand remains high for essential service jobs, growth among mid- and high-level roles is accelerating - and, in some cases, outpacing entry-level positions. "This report helps workers think long-term," said Milos Eric, co-founder and general manager of OysterLink. "While entry-level jobs are easier to land, several advanced roles are catching up in job creation — and they come with stronger pay and longer careers." Entry-Level Still Dominates, But for How Long? Jobs like waiters, cooks, fast-food workers, and dishwashers continue to see strong hiring numbers. These roles are accessible, offer fast entry, and account for the largest volume of projected openings: Waiter/Waitress: 471,200 projected openings per year Fast-Food Worker: 912,400 per year Cook: 257,700 per year Dishwasher: 80,500 per year From 2020 to 2024, these roles also saw notable pay increases - up nearly 28% for cooks and 39.6% for waiters. But wage ceilings remain low overall, with average 2024 salaries still under $40,000. The strong demand for these positions is partially driven by high turnover and the constant need for large service teams, especially in fast-paced or seasonal environments. Advanced Roles Are Growing Faster Than Expected At the same time, leadership and specialized roles — once seen as limited in opportunity — are now gaining ground. Several advanced positions have experienced significant increases in employment over the past four years, with further growth anticipated through 2033. Chef: +79.64% employment growth (2020-2024), 24,600 projected openings/year Hotel Manager: +30.07% employment growth, $77,460 avg. salary Event Planner: +22.65% growth, with 16,500 openings/year Restaurant Manager: +23.97% growth, 44,500 openings/year Chefs had the highest employment growth across all job titles studied — outpacing even bartenders and line cooks. Hotel managers continue to lead in average salary, while event planners are seeing steady expansion as demand returns for in-person and hybrid events. These jobs offer clear advantages in terms of long-term stability and career progression, although they typically require more experience, training, or specialized knowledge. Comparing Growth: Entry-Level vs. Advanced Between 2020 and 2024: Average employment growth for entry-level roles (e.g., fast-food worker, dishwasher, host): +17.8% Average employment growth for advanced roles (e.g., chef, hotel manager, restaurant manager): +38.6% This suggests that while there are more entry-level openings, the rate at which employers are hiring for skilled and leadership positions is accelerating — and may offer better returns for workers planning to stay in the industry in the long term. What This Means for Workers For those starting out, entry-level jobs remain the fastest path into the hospitality industry. However, the data suggests that it may pay off — literally — to look ahead and plan for a move up. With upskilling or on-the-job learning, roles such as chef, event planner, or restaurant manager offer better income, increased job security, and stronger career paths. "There's a real opportunity here," said Eric. "If you're already working in hospitality, the path to advancement is becoming clearer — and the numbers show it's worth pursuing." About OysterLink OysterLink is a leading job platform dedicated to the hospitality industry. We connect restaurants, hotels, and hospitality employers with skilled candidates across the U.S. and internationally. With job listings, including bartender jobs in New York City or chef jobs in Los Angeles, industry insights, and career resources, OysterLink helps professionals build rewarding careers in hospitality. Currently, OysterLink attracts over 400,000 monthly visitors and continues to grow steadily. For more information, visit or contact PR Rep Ana at ana@ Media ContactAna DemidovaPR Representativepress@ To view the source version of this press release, please visit
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
OysterLink Study Reveals Most Future-Proof Hospitality Jobs
Miami, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - June 18, 2025) - A review of hospitality job data from 2020 to 2024 by OysterLink identified roles with the strongest career potential based on wage increases, employment growth, and 10-year job outlook projections. OysterLink To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: The analysis aims to help hospitality workers, job seekers, and planners understand the direction the industry is heading. Top-Performing Hospitality Roles These jobs saw strong wage and job growth from 2020 to 2024 and are expected to stay in demand through 2033. Job Title Wage Growth Employment Growth 10-Year Outlook Annual Openings Bartender 37.95% 53.19% 9% 134,600 Busser 39.64% 18.44% 1% 471,200 Cook 25.77% 30.86% 17% 257,700 Chef 26% 79.64% 8% 24,600 Barback 26% 23.97% 2% 44,500 Hotel Manager 18.68% 30.07% 10% 6,000 "Hospitality is evolving fast, but it remains full of opportunity for those who pursue the right roles," said Milos Eric, General Manager and Founder of OysterLink. "We created OysterLink to help people align with those opportunities, not just find jobs, and build careers that last." Reliable Roles with Moderate Growth Support and entry-level roles demonstrated stable wage increases and healthy workforce expansion. Job Title Wage Growth Employment Growth 10-Year Outlook Annual Openings Housekeeper 29.17% 7.46% 1% 190,600 Dishwasher 29.77% 19.21% 1% 80,500 Host/Hostess 29.15% 34.88% 0% 110,400 Concierge 15.46% 20.11% 5% 6,700 These roles are crucial to daily hospitality operations and remain in steady demand. Host and Hostess jobs, in particular, grew rapidly, highlighting the importance of guest service in both restaurants and hotels. Roles with Declining Employment Trends Certain positions showed declining or stagnant employment from 2020 to 2024, with weaker future outlooks. Job Title Wage Growth Employment Growth 10-Year Outlook Annual Openings Cashier 23.75% -5.29% -11% 565,600 Porter 13.44% -52.15% 1% 4,500 Receptionist 18.73% -0.40% -1% 137,800 Cashier and Receptionist roles saw employment declines from 2020 to 2024. While openings remain, their long-term job outlook is negative. Porter roles experienced the largest employment drop among all listed jobs. About OysterLink OysterLink is a leading job platform dedicated to the hospitality industry. We connect restaurants, hotels, and hospitality employers with skilled candidates across the U.S. and internationally. With job listings, including bartender jobs in New York City and waiter jobs in Miami, industry insights, and career resources, OysterLink helps professionals build rewarding careers in hospitality. Currently, OysterLink attracts over 400,000 monthly visitors and continues to grow steadily. For more information, visit or contact PR Rep Ana at ana@ Media Contact Ana DemidovaPR Representative To view the source version of this press release, please visit
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tips Add Up to $20K+ a Year for Hospitality Workers
MIAMI, May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A new report from OysterLink reveals that tips account for more than half of hospitality workers' annual income — often adding up to over $20,000 a year. This report comes right after the House passed the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act'—that gives temporary tax breaks on overtime pay and tipped earnings. These tax breaks will only be around for the 2025 through 2028 tax years. Building on earlier research from 2012, this updated analysis uncovers the real-dollar impact of tipping in 2025. From bartenders and sommeliers to valets and bussers, the findings show that gratuities remain a critical source of income across the hospitality sector — and in some cases, are the difference between making a living wage or not. Job title Industry Typical hours Total annual income Total hourly income Percent income from tips Frequency of tips reported Annual income % from tips Monthly income % from tips Waiter/Waitress Restaurant Part-time $38,360 $18.44 59 % Very frequently $22,632.40 $10.88 Bartender Bar Part-time $39,880 $19.17 52 % Very frequently $20,737.60 $9.97 Valet Hotel Full-time $34,190 $16.44 39 % Very frequently $13,334.10 $6.41 Busser Restaurant Limited time $30,040 $14.44 37 % Very frequently $11,114.80 $5.34 Sommelier Restaurant Full-time $65,581 $31.53 34 % Frequently $22,297.54 $10.72 Porter Hotel Full-time $39,190 $18.84 32 % Frequently $12,540.80 $6.03 Food Runner Restaurant Part-time $29,691 $14.00 29 % Very frequently $8,610.39 $4.06 Host/Hostess Restaurant Part-time $32,030 $15.40 18 % Frequently $5,765.40 $2.77 Restaurant Manager Restaurant Full-time $72,370 $34.79 15 % Occasionally $10,855.50 $5.22 Sushi Chef Restaurant Full-time $58,909 $28.32 15 % Frequently $8,836.35 $4.25 Barista Restaurant Part-time $34,825 $16.74 12 % Very frequently $4,179.00 $2.01 Concierge Hotel Full-time $40,770 $19.60 8 % Frequently $3,261.60 $1.57 "These aren't just bonuses — for some restaurants, these make up the core earnings of their staff members," said Milos Eric, Co-Founder and General Manager of OysterLink. "This update shows just how significant tips continue to be for frontline hospitality workers in 2025." Top Annual Tip Earnings by Job (2025) Waiter/Waitress: $22,632 from tips (59% of annual income) Bartender: $20,738 from tips (52%) Sommelier: $22,298 from tips (34%) Valet: $13,334 from tips (39%) Porter: $12,541 from tips (32%) Busser: $11,115 from tips (37%) Restaurant Manager: $10,856 from tips (15%) Food Runner: $8,610 from tips (29%) Sushi Chef: $8,836 from tips (15%) Host/Hostess: $5,765 from tips (18%) Barista: $4,179 from tips (12%) Concierge: $3,262 from tips (8%) Even lower-paid roles like bussers, hosts, and food runners earn between $5,000 and $11,000 annually in tips, underscoring the importance of gratuities across the board — not just for roles perceived as high-touch or customer-facing. While cities and states debate changes to minimum wage and service charge models, this data update offers a timely look at how workers actually get paid — and how much of that depends on tips rather than salary. "Tip income isn't just a reflection of good service," added Eric. "It's a structural part of how these jobs are compensated, and that needs to be part of any conversation around fair pay in hospitality." About OysterLink OysterLink is a job platform dedicated to the restaurant and hospitality industry, providing career opportunities, market insights and expert interviews. With over 400,000 monthly visitors and growing, OysterLink helps professionals navigate industry trends and connect with top employers. For more information or to post a job, visit OysterLink or contact PR Representative Ana at ana@ View original content: SOURCE OysterLink Sign in to access your portfolio
Newsweek
25-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Map Shows Most, Least Expensive Cities for Fast Food
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A new study from LendingTree has revealed the most and least expensive fast food in the 50 most populous areas across the United States, as a Newsweek map compiling this data shows. Why It Matters The fast-food industry in America is a significant part of daily life and the economy. The U.S. market is projected to reach approximately $330.56 billion in 2025, with expectations to grow to $436.07 billion by 2029, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1 percent, according to OysterLink, a job platform specifically for the restaurant and hospitality industry. OysterLink also reports that the average American spends around $148 a month on fast food and around 40 percent of fast-food sales are sold through drive-thru orders, totaling nearly $140 billion annually. Fast food items seen on a table at a drive thru location in the Austin, Texas, metro area. Fast food items seen on a table at a drive thru location in the Austin, Texas, metro area. Getty Images/AntDM What To Know The top five most expensive cities for fast food are: San Francisco, California: $12.73 New York City, New York: $12.25 Los Angeles, California: $12.24 Seattle, Washington: $12.22 Sacramento, California: $12.19 LendingTree selected "five of the most well-known national fast food chains," to calculate an average meal cost, which included meals from Burger King, Chick-fil-A, McDonald's, Taco Bell and Wendy's. Then, "the average cost of a fast food meal for each metro was calculated by averaging the prices of the five selected meals, including taxes." At the bottom of the list is Austin, Texas with an average cost of $9.63, Houston, Texas, with an average cost of $9.71, Nashville, Tennessee, with an average cost of $9.72, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with an average cost of $9.79. The lowest price on that list is Indianapolis, Indiana, where the average cost of a fast-food meal is $9.19. LendingTree's report included analysis of "Fast food meal data from restaurant websites or mobile apps. Notes: The average cost of a fast food meal includes applicable state and local sales taxes based on the restaurants' locations." The report also states that many fast-food workers aren't able to afford the meals that they serve. This research follows a 2024 report from LendingTree which found that of 2,000 American adults surveyed, 78 percent of consumers viewed fast food as a luxury because it is increasingly expensive. The research comes at a time where data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is showing the cost of living to be continually outpacing earnings, leaving many Americans struggling to make ends meet. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 2.9 percent in December 2024 compared to December 2023. This year-over-year increase indicates that the prices for a broad range of goods and services have gone up over the past year. Multiple fast food chains have introduced value deals as inflation and cost-of-living concerns impact consumer spending. The price of fast food meals is often posted about on social media, with many people criticizing the cost of meals today. What People Are Saying Wall St. Mav in a post on X: "Fast food is not affordable anymore ... Almost $40 for 2 burgers and fries...... What is going on?" Professor Peter St. Onge, in a post on X: "78 percent of Americans now say fast food is a luxury... As you'd expect, this hits families with kids, the working class, and of course the young who once started families but now just doom-spend to the next bail-out." Wagie Capital on X: " food prices are absolutely out of control at this point." What's Next The price of fast food could go on to change depending on different economic factors. The Conference Board currently projects U.S. GDP to increase by 1.6 percent in 2025, slowed from 2.8 percent in 2024.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Summer Job Interest Hits Record High in March-April 2025
MIAMI, April 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- OysterLink data, combined with search trends, shows summer job interest hitting a new record high in late March 2025 and early April. While the traditional peak remains around May, the data for March and April 2025 shows the highest level of interest recorded for this period, suggesting that job seekers are starting their searches earlier each year. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the hospitality and leisure industry is one of the largest employers of seasonal workers, particularly during peak travel seasons such as summer and winter holidays. The summer hospitality high season in North America typically lasts from Memorial Day until Labor Day. Google Trends data supports this surge: the search popularity score for summer jobs in mid-April 2025 is approximately 86. For comparison, it was around 73 at the same time last year, 66 the year before, and just 54 three years ago. The District of Columbia leads the nation with a search popularity score of 100, highlighting the intense demand for seasonal employment. "We see this as a strong indicator that the summer job market is becoming increasingly competitive. Hospitality businesses should be proactive in their recruitment strategies to capitalize on this early surge and secure the best talent." — Milos Eric, General Manager at OysterLink, a job platform tailored to the hospitality and restaurant industry. Data from OysterLink shows that Gen Z (ages 18–24) continues to be a dominant force in the summer job market, particularly in hospitality and seasonal roles. As of March–April 2025, this age group represented 29.52% of all job applicants on the platform. About OysterLink OysterLink is a job platform dedicated to the restaurant and hospitality industry, providing career opportunities, market insights, and expert interviews. With over 340,000 monthly visitors and growing, OysterLink helps professionals navigate industry trends and connect with top employers. For more information or to post a job, visit OysterLink or contact PR Representative Ana at ana@ View original content: SOURCE OysterLink
