Matt, I do think it is important to describe the realities of the industry. Often students want to know a pay range and I encourage them to do research in that area as there is no concrete answer. The amount of income that can be made can vary, depending on if the individual will be working in a chain restaurant, hotel, privately owned restaurant or numerous other options...not to mention by state. What seems like a lot of money per hour in New York is not necessarily so, due to the cost of living. Sometimes students want to know "how long it takes" to achieve particular positions as well. As you know, there is no concrete answer to that question, it is really based on the individual and the particular path they choose to take. Jae Gruber