Job description
Front desk clerks front the desks at hotels, motels, resorts and other lodging establishments, big or small, serving as a point of communication between guests and the establishment’s administration. They are responsible for checking in guests to the establishment and ensuring a pleasant stay during their time there.
Duties
- Take, confirm or change room reservations
- Check guests in and out
- Assign guests to their rooms and issue room keys
- Process payments
- Keep records of room availability and guests’ accounts
- Arrange tours, taxis and restaurant reservations for guests
- Provide information about the hotel’s services, and sightseeing and restaurant recommendations
- Handle guests’ requests and complaints
Skills and qualities
Job outlook
Projected growth
-6%
New jobs
-16.7k
Automation risk
94%
Career progression
Advancement opportunities for front desk clerks are limited. With additional training, though, they can move up to a supervisory customer service role or move to another department.
A bachelor’s degree in hospitality or a related field will improve your overall career prospects.
Working conditions
Average hours
40h/ week
Typical schedule
Full Time
Nights, weekends, holidays occasionally
While the work is generally pleasant, it can be stressful at times, particularly during peak season or when dealing with difficult customers. Much of your workday will be spent on your feet.
You could work in a shift or on a rota, which typically includes nights, weekends and holidays.
Salary
Bottom 10%
$21k
Median
$35k
Top 10%
$57k
Annual salary estimates are based on percentile wage data collected through the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey of US workers.
Qualifications and training
Education level
High school
On-the-job-training
Study time
3 weeks
You don’t need any formal education to work as a front desk clerk. Most employers typically require a high school diploma and offer on-the-job training which takes about a few weeks. Some employers, though, particularly large hotels, prefer hiring people with some college experience. Typing, bookkeeping and computer operation knowledge is especially useful.
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 2, 2022
