An understanding of revenue management can be an asset for careers in many competitive industries sharing the characteristics of fixed costs and capacity and disposable or perishable products. It has long been particularly important in the hospitality and travel industries, making expertise in this field particularly relevant for careers in hotel management or airline business analysis. Expertise in this field is even more valuable today given the challenges stemming from COVID-19, which has increased the importance of running these businesses efficiently and maximizing revenues.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, lodging and hotel managers earned a median annual salary of $54,430 per year as of 2019. While much of this work is concerned with managing guest services, staffing, cleaning, and facilities operations, hotel management professionals are also responsible for setting room rates. Although careers in this field can begin with only a high school degree, degrees in hotel management - often including skills in revenue management - are often required for full-service hotel chains.