Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks
O*NET 43-4081.00 · SOC 43-4081
Hotel is a solid career choice. Median pay is $35k a year with +1.8% projected growth through 2035 (slower than average) and about 35,500 openings a year. AI exposure: Elevated.
Bureau of Labor Statistics projections 2025–2035 · Data updated 2026-07-27
What You'd Actually Do
- →Check guests in and out at the front desk
- →Assign rooms and issue key cards to arriving guests
- →Answer questions about hotel amenities and local attractions
- →Process payments and post charges to guest accounts
- →Handle guest complaints and coordinate with housekeeping or maintenance
Education & How to Get In
Hotel roles typically require a high school diploma or equivalent, with most training happening on the job. This makes it one of the more accessible career paths, you can often start working while earning certifications or completing short-term training programs.
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Work Environment
Structured, offices, data centers, or remote
Independent, focused deep work with periodic team check-ins
A Day in the Life
While every role varies by employer and specialization, a typical day as a Hotel involves a mix of core responsibilities:
Personality Fit (RIASEC)
Who Thrives as Hotel?
Based on the interests and work style this role actually demands, these personality types tend to fit it best. Salary and growth tell you if a career is worth entering; personality fit tells you whether you'll still want it in five years.
Not sure which you are? Take the 7-minute quiz →
See Open Hotel Roles
Browse live openings to get a feel for requirements and pay in your area.
Similar Careers
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Job Outlook
Employment of Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks is projected to grow 1.8% from 2025 to 2035, slower than average for all occupations.
Will AI Replace This Job?
- ·49% routine cognitive tasks, high automation target
- ·39% social/interpersonal tasks, hard for AI to replace
- ·Industry sector with high AI adoption trajectory
Scored from the mix of routine, creative, physical and social tasks the role involves, adjusted for sector and projected growth. An estimate, not a forecast.
Common Questions
How much does a Hotel make?
The median Hotel earns $35k a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 wage data. Half earn more than that and half earn less, and pay varies considerably by state, industry and experience.
Will AI replace Hotel jobs?
Our model puts Hotel at 61 out of 100 for automation exposure, which is elevated disruption risk. The main drivers: 49% routine cognitive tasks, high automation target; 39% social/interpersonal tasks, hard for AI to replace.
Is Hotel a growing field?
Employment is projected to grow 1.8% between 2025 and 2035, which is slower than average. That works out to roughly 35,500 openings a year, counting both new positions and people leaving the occupation.
What degree do you need to be a Hotel?
Most Hotel roles need a high school diploma or equivalent, with training happening on the job. A degree is not the usual route in.
How long does it take to become a Hotel?
Typically under a year, usually a high school diploma plus short training. O*NET classes this role as Job Zone 2 of 5, which describes how much preparation people in it usually have.
Is a Hotel career right for you?
Your personality, values, and strengths matter as much as the job market. Take the quiz to see your personalized Future-Fit Score for this career and hundreds more.
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