Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks handle guest check-ins and check-outs, register arrivals, assign rooms, and manage front desk operations. They work in hotels, motels, resorts, and similar lodging facilities, where they serve as the primary contact point for guests during their stays.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A typical shift involves greeting arriving guests, processing registrations, and assigning rooms. Desk clerks issue key cards, answer phone calls, relay messages, maintain records of occupied rooms and guest accounts, handle reservation confirmations, and process departing guests' payments and statements. The work requires managing multiple tasks simultaneously while maintaining hospitality standards throughout the day.
Who this work suits
Holland code CSE. Conventional work is organized, detail-oriented work with clear procedures. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You likely enjoy this work if you prefer structured, organized tasks and find satisfaction in helping people solve problems directly. You probably do well with clear procedures and enjoy face-to-face or phone interaction, making you naturally suited to this customer-focused, orderly environment.
What it takes
Preparation: Some preparation (usually high school; some on-the-job training). Most people in this occupation hold a high school diploma.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Openings right now
- Hotel Desk Clerk NF-01 · United States Army Installation Management Command · Waianae, Hawaii · $18–$18.8
Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $51,230 | $59,110 | $65,840 | 2,810 |
| District of Columbia | $44,010 | $47,060 | $48,620 | 1,170 |
| Vermont | $36,510 | $44,940 | $46,640 | 580 |
| Washington | $37,930 | $40,460 | $45,460 | 5,630 |
| Massachusetts | $37,580 | $39,400 | $44,810 | 4,530 |
| California | $36,790 | $39,360 | $45,220 | 27,810 |
| Nevada | $32,430 | $38,900 | $43,710 | 5,040 |
| New York | $35,820 | $38,590 | $48,320 | 10,130 |
| New Jersey | $35,920 | $38,110 | $44,340 | 5,000 |
| Rhode Island | $36,730 | $37,840 | $39,570 | 530 |
| Alaska | $36,190 | $37,500 | $41,600 | 820 |
| Maine | $35,360 | $37,380 | $44,260 | 1,510 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- START, Second Edition Exam (ExamFlex) — American Hotel and Lodging Association Educational Institute
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 43-4081.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.