How to Ask for A Raise in Hospitality (and Actually Get It)

Talking about money is awkward for almost everyone, especially if you’re early in your career and working in a fast-paced Denver hospitality job where there’s barely time to breathe between guests, let alone schedule a sit-down meeting with your manager. But here’s the truth: you are absolutely allowed to ask for a raise, and you can do it in a way that actually works.

Whether you’re serving tables on Colfax, checking guests into a downtown boutique hotel, working weekends at an attraction, helping run events at the Convention Center, or guiding people on outdoor adventures, your work has value. And as you grow in your role, your paycheck should too.

This guide will help you navigate the process with confidence and increase your chances of hearing “Yes.”

Step 1: Know Your Numbers (Before You Ask)

Understand the baseline

Let’s start with the basics. In Denver, the 2025 citywide minimum wage is $18.81/hour, and for tipped food & beverage workers, employers must pay at least $15.79/hour, as long as tips cover the difference. If you’re making only slightly above these numbers, asking for a bump isn’t unreasonable — it’s smart.

Check the market

Look up similar jobs at other restaurants, hotels, event venues, attractions, or outdoor recreation companies. Denver’s hospitality scene is competitive, which means employers often pay more to keep reliable people.
And here’s something in your favor: Gen Z is leading the national push for pay transparency. Multiple HR surveys show 44–53% of Gen Z workers prioritize pay transparency more than any other generation. Translation: it’s normal, healthy, and expected to know what your role is worth.

Keep a simple “wins list”

For 1–3 months, track things like:

• extra shifts you picked up
• additional responsibilities (training new hires, managing large tables, handling VIP guests)
• positive guest reviews or manager shout-outs.

This becomes your evidence. When you walk in with specifics, your request goes from “I feel like I deserve more” to “Here’s what I’ve already proven.”

Step 2: Decide (Exactly) What You’re Asking For

Choose a realistic number

Most workplace experts suggest asking for a 3–5% raise as a standard increase, and higher if your responsibilities expand significantly. For example:

• $19/hour → 5% raise ≈ $20/hour
• $17/hour → 5% raise ≈ $18/hour

If your job duties jumped (like taking on event setup responsibilities, managing a bigger section in a restaurant, helping with hotel inventory, or guiding larger tour groups) you may justify more.

Raises aren’t just about money

If a business is operating on tight margins (restaurants and nonprofits often are), it may not be able to move your hourly wage right away. But you can also negotiate:

• more stable/consistent hours
• better shifts (weekends, patio, evenings)
• cross-training (bar, events, front desk, attractions ops)
• title changes
• a guaranteed 90-day review

Remember, you’re negotiating a package, not just a number.

Step 3: Pick the Right Moment

Timing makes a bigger difference than you think.
Don’t try to ask during a dinner rush, mid-event, or while your manager is stress-sweating over a malfunctioning ride or a double-booked conference room. Schedule a short 1:1; most managers appreciate the professionalism.
Good moments to ask:

• during performance check-ins
• right after a big win (you helped run a festival weekend smoothly, handled a tough guest situation with grace, or covered key shifts)
• after completing certifications or cross-training

And remember: hospitality turnover is high. Studies consistently estimate 70–80% annual turnover in hospitality roles. Good employees are valuable and expensive to replace. Managers know this and it strengthens your position.

Step 4: Prep Your Script

Walking into this conversation without a script is like trying to serve a six-top without writing down the order (not recommended).
Here’s a simple structure:
1) Start with appreciation
“I really like working here and want to keep growing on this team.”

2) Add your evidence
“In the last six months, I’ve taken on training new hosts, managing large tables, and helping with event seating. I’ve also gotten positive feedback from guests and coworkers.”

3) Make the ask
“Based on my responsibilities and the market rate in Denver, I’d like to talk about adjusting my pay to $X/hour.”

4) End with your future intentions
“I’m committed to continuing to grow here and taking on more responsibility.”

Being prepared, confident, and clear increases your chances significantly.

Step 5: If They Say No (or Not Yet)

It happens. A “no” (or “not right now”) doesn’t mean you did something wrong.
Instead of shutting down, pivot:

• “What would you need to see from me to revisit this in 3–6 months?”
• “Is there room to adjust my schedule, shifts, or responsibilities in the meantime?”
• “Could I cross-train or take on additional tasks that might justify a higher rate later?”

Sometimes it really is a budget issue. Sometimes it’s timing. Sometimes it’s a misalignment of expectations. But you deserve a roadmap and by asking questions like these you’ll gain more insight into what promped the ‘no’.
If your employer can’t give you a clear path—or worse, punishes you for asking—that’s a red flag. Denver hospitality employers are actively competing for talent. You have options. Lots of options.

Pro Moves for Early-Career Hospitality Workers

You don’t need decades of experience to negotiate well, preparation and confidence will get you far. Here are a few final tips:
Don’t apologize for asking. This isn’t a favor, it’s a professional conversation.
Be open to alternatives. Sometimes shift changes or trainings have bigger pay-offs long-term.
Talk to trusted coworkers. Pay transparency is normal, healthy, and becoming the norm.
Keep receipts. Your log of achievements is your negotiating power.
Good workers get raises. But the ones who ask tend to get them faster.

Before You Punch Out…

Asking for a raise doesn’t require you to be fearless. You just need a plan. Know your value, gather your evidence, time it right, and speak clearly about what you want. In a growing, competitive market like Denver’s hospitality scene, advocating for yourself isn’t just okay or expected, it’s necessary.
So take a deep breath, rehearse your script, and go for it. Your future self (and next paycheck) will thank you.

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