Post job

How to hire a front desk agent

Front desk agent hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring front desk agents in the United States:

  • The median cost to hire a front desk agent is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per front desk agent on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • There are a total of 156,926 front desk agents in the US, and there are currently 96,392 job openings in this field.
  • New York, NY, has the highest demand for front desk agents, with 52 job openings.

How to hire a front desk agent, step by step

To hire a front desk agent, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a front desk agent:

Here's a step-by-step front desk agent hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a front desk agent job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new front desk agent
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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.

Learn more about the specifics of what a front desk agent does
jobs
Post a front desk agent job for free, promote it for a fee
  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your front desk agent job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a front desk agent for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a front desk agent to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a front desk agent that fits the bill.

    The following list breaks down different types of front desk agents and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Front Desk AgentDescriptionHourly rate
    Front Desk AgentInformation clerks perform routine clerical duties such as maintaining records, collecting data, and providing information to customers.$12-17
    Night AuditorA Night Auditor is responsible for handling late-night front-desk operations, mostly at hotels or other lodging establishments. Among the primary duties involve greeting guests and handling check-in and check-outs, responding to reservations, process and collect payments, preparing reports and necessary documentation, and attending to the guests' inquiries, requests, and concerns... Show more$12-18
    Guest Service RepresentativeA 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... Show more$9-16
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Reservations
    • Team Work
    • Guest Service
    • Customer Service
    • Computer System
    • Guest Satisfaction
    • Guest Accounts
    • Hotel Services
    • Guest Rooms
    • Guest Complaints
    • Local Attractions
    • Cash Handling
    • English Communication
    • PBX
    Check all skills
    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.
    More front desk agent duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in the front desk agent job description is a good way to get more applicants. A front desk agent salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

    For example, the average salary for a front desk agent in North Carolina may be lower than in Washington, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level front desk agent. Additionally, a front desk agent with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

    Average front desk agent salary

    $14.91hourly

    $31,008 yearly

    Entry-level front desk agent salary
    $25,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 18, 2025

    Average front desk agent salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Washington$39,059$19
    2California$37,312$18
    3New York$36,370$17
    4Massachusetts$36,063$17
    5Colorado$35,952$17
    6Oregon$35,881$17
    7Minnesota$35,174$17
    8District of Columbia$34,919$17
    9Maine$33,527$16
    10Nevada$31,649$15
    11Utah$31,313$15
    12Illinois$30,243$15
    13Arizona$29,966$14
    14Ohio$29,434$14
    15Wisconsin$29,336$14
    16Nebraska$28,860$14
    17Florida$28,639$14
    18Virginia$28,638$14
    19Pennsylvania$28,253$14
    20Texas$27,645$13

    Average front desk agent salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Brookhaven National Laboratory$48,632$23.38
    2Endicott College$38,954$18.73
    3Stanford University$37,498$18.03
    4Canyon Ranch$37,130$17.853
    5Lone Star Circle of Care$34,926$16.793
    6Aspen Snowmass$34,898$16.7814
    7POWDR$34,803$16.73
    8Pacific Palms Resort$34,542$16.612
    9Keystone Resort$34,287$16.48
    10McMenamins Pubs & Breweries$34,180$16.43
    11Palace Entertainment$34,178$16.43
    12Cascade Mountain$34,106$16.40
    13Henry J. Austin Health Center$34,091$16.392
    14Waterbury Youth Services$34,071$16.38
    15Hotel Ramada of Nevada LLC$33,969$16.33
    16HEI Hotels & Resorts$33,513$16.11136
    17Portland State University$33,388$16.051
    18House of Blues$33,386$16.05
    19Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants$33,367$16.0469
    20The Florida Bar$33,270$16.00
  4. Writing a front desk agent job description

    A job description for a front desk agent role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a front desk agent job description:

    Front desk agent job description example

    795 Pollard Blvd. SW, Atlanta, GA 30315

    Front Desk Agent Job Description - $9 - 10/Hour

    Our Hotel Group is seeking a professional Front Desk Agent. While working for us you will enjoy a fun, team environment while building lasting relationships with coworkers and guests. We will provide career growth through training, and comradery with our entire family of hotel employees.

    Front Desk Agent Job Overview:

    Front Desk Agents perform the various functions of hotel reception including; registration, guest accounting, telephone and concierge services to deliver an exceptional experience for our guests. The Front Desk Agent also contributes to the overall safety and security of the hotel by reporting damage, following safety rules, and assisting in emergency situations.

    Primary Responsibilities:

    Attending to guest registration, room assignments, and special requests.

    Take, modify, and update room reservations.

    Accurately record and process guest charges, credits, and payments.

    Protect and securely handle all guest information.

    Assist and respond to all guest inquires in person, phone, or email as appropriate.

    Find the win-win in resolving guest concerns or complaints.

    Deliver the Brand and Company promises.

    Qualifications:

    Must have a professional, warm, and approachable disposition.

    Fluently read, write, and speak English.

    Demonstrated ability to remain level-headed in hectic and tense situations.

    Work Environment:

    This job operates in a professional hotel environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

    Physical Demands:

    The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

    Frequent physical movement within the front office area of the hotel. Occasionally position oneself to stock supplies and attend to equipment located in lower cabinets and server rooms. Occasionally move or transport guest luggage or packages up to 50 lbs. Maintain a stationary position for extended periods of time at assigned workstation.

    Mental Demands:

    The mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

    Must have mathematical ability and mental alertness. Ability to manage stress during hectic and tense situations.

    Required Education & Experience:

    High school diploma or equivalent, college education a plus.

    Other Duties:

    This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

    Equal Employment Opportunity:

    We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, we comply with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which we have facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation and training.

    We expressly prohibit any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of our employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including termination.

    FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt (Hourly)
    Directly Reports to: Guest Service/Front Office Manager or Assistant General Manager

    Front Desk Agent Position – Apply Today!

  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right front desk agent for your business:

    • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your front desk agent job on Zippia to find and recruit front desk agent candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting front desk agents requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new front desk agent

    Once you have selected a candidate for the front desk agent position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new front desk agent. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
    Sign up to download full list

How much does it cost to hire a front desk agent?

Hiring a front desk agent comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting front desk agents involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of front desk agent recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

You can expect to pay around $31,008 per year for a front desk agent, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for front desk agents in the US typically range between $12 and $17 an hour.

Find better front desk agents in less time
Post a job on Zippia and hire the best from over 7 million monthly job seekers.

Hiring front desk agents FAQs

Search for front desk agent jobs

Ready to start hiring?

Browse office and administrative jobs