Hotel Desk Clerks
Overview
Introduction
Hotel desk clerks work 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 265,400 desk clerks employed at lodging properties, large and small, in the United States. Desk clerks are also known as front office workers 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 $25,040 in May 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The lowest paid 10 percent of these workers earned $18,090 per year, while the highest paid 10 percent made $34,040 or more annually. Salaries depend on the size, type, and location of the hotel.
After a probationary period, usually 90 days, 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 decline through 2024, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, but there should continue to be opportunities because there is high turnover in this field because many clerks leave the field as a result of retirement or for higher-paying jobs. Others remain in the hospitality industry, but advance to higher-level positions. The...
