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.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks play a front-line role in the lodging industry, helping guests through check-in, check-out, and related services. Nationally, there are about 264,000 people working in this occupation, indicating a sizable presence across hotels and similar properties. The national median annual salary is $34,270, with some states and metro areas offering higher typical pay. Employment is projected to grow 3.7%, and there are an estimated 44,000 annual openings, reflecting both new positions and turnover. This role draws on a mix of customer service, interpersonal, and technology-related skills, as well as adaptability and problem solving. It typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent, which can make it accessible to people starting their careers or changing fields. For those interested in guest-facing work in hospitality settings, this career can offer steady demand and multiple geographic options.
The national median annual salary for hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks is $34,270, but pay varies by location. Several states stand out for higher median salaries, including Washington at $40,460, Massachusetts at $39,400, California at $39,360, and New York at $38,590. Among metro areas, typical pay is even higher in some locations: San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has a median salary of $45,230, followed by San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $44,670 and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ at $43,490. These figures show that large metropolitan areas in particular can offer higher typical earnings than the national median. However, salary is only one factor to weigh alongside job availability, growth, and personal preferences when evaluating this career.
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks have a national employment level of 264,000, indicating a broad footprint across the country. Employment in this occupation is projected to grow by 3.7%. In addition to this growth, there are an estimated 44,000 annual openings, suggesting ongoing hiring needs from both new and replacement positions. The 3.7% growth projection appears consistently across the highlighted states and metro areas, indicating a similar growth expectation in those locations. For someone considering this path, the combination of an existing large workforce, steady projected growth, and substantial annual openings points to a labor market with recurring opportunities. This can be appealing for individuals who want multiple potential entry points into hospitality-related front-desk roles over time.
Location plays an important role in opportunities for hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks. Among states, California has the highest reported employment at 27,810 and a median salary of $39,360, with an opportunity score of 67.38. New York has 10,130 employed and a median salary of $38,590, while Washington offers the highest median state salary listed, at $40,460. Massachusetts and Colorado also rank highly by opportunity score, combining mid-range employment levels with competitive salaries. At the metro level, several large areas stand out. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has a median salary of $45,230 and the highest opportunity score at 77.42. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ follows closely with a $43,490 median and an opportunity score of 77.27. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH offer solid combinations of salary and employment, while Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV adds another major metro option. These differences give job seekers a range of choices by region and market size.
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, which makes this role accessible without a college degree. Success in the occupation relies on a broad mix of skills. Customer service, interpersonal skills, and speaking and listening are central, reflecting the direct interaction with guests. Computers and information technology skills are also important, along with basic mathematics. Adaptability and problem solving and decision making help with handling varied guest needs and changing circumstances. Leadership and creativity and innovation can support taking initiative and improving guest experiences, while fine motor skills may be relevant for precise, hands-on tasks. Together, these skills form a profile that blends people-oriented strengths with comfort using technology and making practical decisions, offering a clear roadmap for what to develop if you are preparing to enter or advance in this career.
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