Salary guide
Hotel Front Desk Agent Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What hotel front desk agents earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median hotel front desk agent salary in the U.S. is $35,070 per year, or $16.86 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $27,120, while the top 10% earned more than $45,470.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Hotel Front Desk Agent pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $27,120 | $13.04 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $29,810 | $14.33 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $35,070 | $16.86 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $38,100 | $18.32 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $45,470 | $21.86 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $29,810 | $35,070 | $38,100 |
| Per month | $2,484 | $2,923 | $3,175 |
| Every two weeks | $1,147 | $1,349 | $1,465 |
| Per week | $573 | $674 | $733 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects hotel front desk agent pay
- Tips and service charges in front-of-house roles
- Type of establishment (fine dining, resorts and casinos often pay more)
- Supervisory and management responsibility
- Certifications such as ServSafe Manager and culinary credentials
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a hotel front desk agent
- Get credentialed: AHLEI Certified Front Desk Representative, Guest service training, PMS software training.
- Build specialty experience: Lead the desk.
- Move up: roles such as front office manager and hotel general manager typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Hotel Front Desk Agent pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of hotel front desk agents to change by +1.8% from 2025–35, slower than average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 35,500 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 43-4081 (“Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Hotel Front Desk Agent salary FAQ
How much does a hotel front desk agent make per hour?
The median hourly wage for hotel front desk agents was $16.86 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $13.04 and the top 10% earned about $21.86 or more.
How much does a hotel front desk agent make a month?
At the median annual wage of $35,070, that works out to about $2,923 per month before taxes, or about $1,349 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a hotel front desk agent?
New hotel front desk agents often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $27,120 and the 25th percentile was $29,810 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can hotel front desk agents earn more?
Common ways include earning AHLEI Certified Front Desk Representative and Guest service training, gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as front office manager.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 43-4081 (Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.