Hotel Desk Clerks
Overview
Introduction
Hotel desk clerks work at the front desk and perform a variety of services, such as registering guests, assigning rooms, and providing general information. For many guests, the front desk worker gives them their first impression of the hotel. There are approximately 271,300 desk clerks employed at lodging properties, large and small, in the United States. Desk clerks are also known as front office workers, front desk agents, and reservation clerks.
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
Mean annual earnings of hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks were $32,470 in May 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The lowest paid 10 percent of these workers earned $23,500 per year, while the highest paid 10 percent made $41,820 or more annually. Fifty percent of hotel desk clerks earned between $28,100 and $36,040. Salaries depend on the size, type, and location of the hotel.<...
Work Environment
The front desk is located inside the hotel lobby, which is often clean and well decorated for the benefit of the guests. Desk clerks are on their feet most of the day, greeting guests and processing the paperwork needed for check-ins and check-outs. Most full-time desk clerks work a normal eight-hour day. However, because hotels are open 24 hours a day, it may be necessary for new employees wit...
Outlook
Employment of hotel desk clerks is expected to grow by 7 percent from 2023 through 2033, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook. This is faster than the average for all careers. Jobs will be most plentiful with hotels located in busy urban areas, where there tend to be higher turnover rates. Opportunities will also be good at extended-stay and budget hotels. Hotel desk clerks a...
