Front desk agent vs guest service representative

The differences between front desk agents and guest service representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a front desk agent has an average salary of $31,008, which is higher than the $26,847 average annual salary of a guest service representative.

The top three skills for a front desk agent include reservations, team work and guest service. The most important skills for a guest service representative are reservations, guest service, and cleanliness.

Front desk agent vs guest service representative overview

	Front Desk Agent	Guest Service Representative
Yearly salary	$31,008	$26,847
Hourly rate	$14.91	$12.91
Growth rate	-	-4%
Number of jobs	96,392	142,302
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Average age	37	40
Years of experience	-	12

What does a front desk agent do?

Front desk agents are usually the first hotel employees that the guest encounters upon entering the hotel. They greet and welcome guests. They are in charge of checking and validating the guests' reservations and issuing their room keys. Front desk agents are responsible for collecting any applicable fees from the guests and ensuring that only the registered guests stay. Front desk agents also coordinate with the housekeeping team and any other team to ensure that the guests' stay is the best.

What does a guest service representative do?

A guest service representative is responsible for supporting the front desk operations, assisting guests with their needs, and handling guests' inquiries. Guest service representatives duties' include processing payments, leading the guests to their respective rooms, responding to the guests' requests, escalating high-level complaints, maintaining the cleanliness and orderliness of the common areas, performing administrative duties, and suggesting recommendations for improving the guests' experience. A guest service representative should have excellent customer service and communication skills to increase the business's positive feedback.

Front desk agent vs guest service representative salary

Front desk agents and guest service representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Front Desk Agent	Guest Service Representative
Average salary	$31,008	$26,847
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $37,000	Between $20,000 And $34,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	Washington	Washington
Best paying company	Brookhaven National Laboratory	Seattle Seahawks
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Retail

Differences between front desk agent and guest service representative education

There are a few differences between a front desk agent and a guest service representative in terms of educational background:

	Front Desk Agent	Guest Service Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Front desk agent vs guest service representative demographics

Here are the differences between front desk agents' and guest service representatives' demographics:

	Front Desk Agent	Guest Service Representative
Average age	37	40
Gender ratio	Male, 31.2% Female, 68.8%	Male, 29.9% Female, 70.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 6.8% Hispanic or Latino, 22.1% Asian, 9.9% White, 50.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%	Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 6.5% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	13%	7%

Differences between front desk agent and guest service representative duties and responsibilities

Front desk agent example responsibilities.

Train new associates to Hyatt standards and the most efficient way to accomplish the day's tasks.
Work as front desk, PBX, and make error free reservations for a full size hotel consisting of 123 rooms.
Welcome guests into the 2nd largest Hyatt in the world.
Receive recognition for dependability and a``can-do"attitude.
Inform members and guests of current sales and promotions while accounting for an accurate POS drawer
Coordinate request for dry cleaning pickup/drop off, pet walking, housekeeping, grocery, delivery, etc.

Guest service representative example responsibilities.

Manage department's expenses, complete weekly schedules, oversee payroll accuracy and act as a mentor to fellow supervisors.
Provide energetic and enthusiastic customer service to VIP clientele.
Operate PBX system including mail/message service; for hotel reservations
Handle phone inquiries and phone communications to verify upcoming reservations and pet medical records.
Exhibit exemplary customer service to patients while providing a therapeutic and comfortable environment within the clinic.
Operate machinery for pools and slides and CPR certify

Front desk agent vs guest service representative skills

Common front desk agent skills

Reservations, 23%
Team Work, 8%
Guest Service, 6%
Customer Service, 5%
Computer System, 4%
Guest Satisfaction, 4%

Common guest service representative skills

Reservations, 22%
Guest Service, 15%
Cleanliness, 7%
Good Judgment, 6%
Customer Service, 6%
POS, 4%

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Front Desk Agent
Front Desk Agent vs Guest Service Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

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