Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Baggage porters and bellhops support travelers and guests by handling luggage and providing in-person service. National employment stands at 32,000 workers, with about 5,000 annual openings, indicating ongoing hiring needs even as total employment is projected to edge down by 1.6%. The national median annual salary is $36,020, with higher typical pay in several key states and metro areas. This career relies heavily on customer service, interpersonal strengths, and physical strength and stamina, making it well-suited to people who enjoy active, people-facing roles. Skills in speaking and listening, problem solving and decision making, and leadership also contribute to effectiveness and advancement potential. With a typical education level of a high school diploma or equivalent, this field can be accessible to new entrants to the workforce and career changers. Similar occupations include counter and rental clerks, food servers (nonrestaurant), dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers, waiters and waitresses, and stockers and order fillers.
Baggage porters and bellhops earn a national median annual salary of $36,020, with notable variation by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, California offers a median salary of $40,040, Massachusetts $41,040, New York $48,610, Colorado $39,160, and Washington $41,010. At the metro level, some areas show even higher pay. The San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA metro has a median salary of $46,140, the New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ metro matches New York State at $48,610, and the San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA metro reaches $51,900. Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH stands at $43,090, while Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV has a median of $38,700. These differences suggest that workers who are geographically flexible may find higher earning potential in selected metros and states with stronger pay levels for this occupation.
For baggage porters and bellhops, national employment is 32,000, with projected employment growth of -1.6%. This indicates a slight decline in total jobs over the projection period. Despite this, the occupation is expected to generate about 5,000 annual openings. These openings can arise from a mix of job changes, retirements, and other turnover, supporting continued hiring activity even as overall employment edges down. The combination of a modestly shrinking employment base and steady annual openings means prospective workers should be prepared for some competition, but also can expect ongoing opportunities to enter or re-enter the field. Since the projected growth rate is the same in all listed states and metro areas, outlook differences across locations are better understood by also considering each area’s employment level and opportunity score rather than growth alone.
Location plays a significant role in opportunity for baggage porters and bellhops. Among states, California, Massachusetts, and New York have the highest CareerGPS opportunity scores, at 67.38, 65.87, and 65.78 respectively. New York combines a relatively high opportunity score with a median salary of $48,610 and employment of 3,610. California pairs a $40,040 median salary with 2,940 employed, while Massachusetts offers $41,040 with 1,300 employed. Colorado and Washington also appear in the top five, with opportunity scores of 56.97 and 56.29. At the metro level, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA and New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ stand out with opportunity scores above 77. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA offers the highest listed metro median salary at $51,900. Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH and Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV also show strong combination profiles of salary, employment, and opportunity score. All listed locations share the same -1.6% projected growth rate.
Baggage porters and bellhops typically enter the field with a high school diploma or equivalent. This educational requirement makes the occupation accessible to individuals starting their careers, re-entering the workforce, or changing fields without needing advanced degrees. Success in the role is strongly tied to a mix of service, physical, and interpersonal skills. Customer service and interpersonal abilities are central, as workers frequently interact with guests and other staff. Physical strength and stamina, along with fine motor skills, support the more hands-on aspects of the work. Speaking and listening skills help with clear communication, while problem solving and decision making contribute to handling everyday challenges. Leadership, mechanical awareness, project management, and comfort with computers and information technology can support increased responsibility and coordination tasks. For those considering alternatives with similar education levels and transferable skills, related options include counter and rental clerks, food servers (nonrestaurant), dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers, waiters and waitresses, and stockers and order fillers.
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