Hotel Clerk / Front Desk Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$34,000
national median salary
$29,000 to $37,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $35,070 for Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks (SOC 43-4081) across the United States, based on 261,420 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$27,120
25th percentile
$29,810
Median
$35,070
75th percentile
$38,100
90th percentile
$45,470
Workers surveyed
261,420
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$34,270
May 2025 release
$35,070
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks (SOC 43-4081) rather than Hotel Clerk / Front Deskspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 43-4081Highest Paying
$48,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$36,000
San Francisco, CA
Lowest Paying
$26,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 43-4081. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Hotel Clerk / Front Desk salary in the United States at $34,000 in 2026, within a range of $29,000 to $37,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Francisco is the highest of the 81 cities at $48,000, while San Francisco offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Hotel brand tier and location drive nearly all pay variation.
Hotel Clerk / Front Desk salary by city.
Skills that increase Hotel Clerk / Front Desk pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Hotel Clerk / Front Desks based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $4,760 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$4,760 per year
≈ +$4,420 per year
≈ +$4,080 per year
≈ +$3,740 per year
≈ +$3,740 per year
≈ +$3,400 per year
≈ +$3,400 per year
≈ +$3,060 per year
What you should know.
Hotel brand tier and location drive nearly all pay variation. Luxury and boutique hotel clerks earn 20 to 35% more than budget chain counterparts. Urban properties in high-tourism markets like New York, Miami, and San Francisco pay significantly above the national median. Multilingual ability adds further premium.
Entry-level front desk agents start at $26,000 to $31,000. Experienced clerks and guest service agents earn $32,000 to $40,000. Front desk supervisors reach $38,000 to $48,000. Front office managers earn $48,000 to $65,000, with hotel general managers commanding $70,000 to $120,000.
Tips can add $2,000 to $6,000 annually at full-service hotels. Benefits at major chains include discounted room rates worldwide, free meals during shifts, and tuition assistance. Night audit shifts typically pay 10 to 15% differentials above day rates.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Hotel Clerk / Front Desks typically earn $31,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Hotel Clerk / Front Desk pay.
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