Accommodation and Food Services
Industry Overview
Accommodation businesses provide lodging or short-term housing to travellers and other people who are temporarily away from their usual residence. Examples of accommodation are hotels, motels, resorts, bed and breakfasts, hostels, industry work camps and recreational “lodgings” such as campgrounds and RV sites.
Food service and beverage businesses provide prepared food and beverages that are ordered by customers. Establishments range from full-service restaurants to cafés, fast food outlets, delis, food trucks, caterers and contractors who provide meals to hospitals or airlines. Night clubs, lounges, bars and pubs are also included in this industry.
Key Facts
- Most employment in this industry occurs in the Mainland / Southwest, Vancouver Island / Coast and Thompson-Okanagan regions.
- Part-time work is common in this industry.
- Wages for workers are much lower than the provincial average.
- The industry is particularly sensitive to tourism activity.
Hourly Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Below are the average hourly earnings for this industry.
B.C. Average Hourly Earnings (2023)
| Men | $38.00/hr |
| Women | $32.00/hr |
| Youth | $21.00/hr |
Industry Average Hourly Earnings (2023)
| Men | $23.05/hr |
| Women | $20.65/hr |
| Youth | $18.62/hr |
Workforce
The workforce includes people who are employed or unemployed but actively looking for work. The workforce is made up of people who are 15 years of age and older and living in Canada.
Employment by Sex (2023)
BC Average (2023)
Employment by Age Group
| Age Group | Industry Average (2023) | B.C. Average (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| 15 - 24 years | 37.6% | 13.3% |
| 25 - 54 years | 52.4% | 64.8% |
| 55+ years | 10.0% | 21.9% |
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Latest Employment Trends
May 2025 vs. Apr 2025
Employment
% Change
Employment by Region
| Region | % Employment this Industry (2023) | % Employment All Industries (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 1.9% | 3.0% |
| Kootenay | 3.1% | 2.9% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 63.4% | 64.5% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 1.0% | 1.6% |
| Northeast | 1.4% | 1.3% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 12.0% | 10.9% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 17.1% | 15.8% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Average Annual Employment Growth Rate
Forecasted 10-Year Industry Share of Total Employment
Top Occupations by Job Openings
Top occupations are those with stronger demand and offer higher pay compared to other occupations.
| Top Ten Occupations | Job Openings (2024-2034) |
|---|---|
| Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations (NOC 65201) | 12,550 |
| Restaurant and food service managers (NOC 60030) | 9,810 |
| Cooks (NOC 63200) | 7,470 |
| Food and beverage servers (NOC 65200) | 5,370 |
| Chefs (NOC 62200) | 4,610 |
| Accommodation service managers (NOC 60031) | 3,510 |
| Light duty cleaners (NOC 65310) | 3,170 |
| Food service supervisors (NOC 62020) | 3,070 |
| Cashiers (NOC 65100) | 1,830 |
| Hotel front desk clerks (NOC 64314) | 1,290 |
Resources
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BC Tourism Industry - go2https://www.go2hr.ca/explore-all-resources/research-strategy/bc-tourism-hr-strategy
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British Columbia Restaurant and Foodservices Association (BCRFA)https://www.bcrfa.com
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Destination BChttp://www.destinationbc.ca/
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North American Industry Classification Systemhttp://www.statcan.gc.ca/concepts/industry-industrie-eng.htm
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Restaurants Canadahttps://www.restaurantscanada.org
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Tourism Industry Association of BChttp://www.tiabc.ca/