Front desk host vs front desk associate

The differences between front desk hosts and front desk associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a front desk host has an average salary of $31,080, which is higher than the $27,236 average annual salary of a front desk associate.

The top three skills for a front desk host include front desk, cleanliness and greeting guests. The most important skills for a front desk associate are phone calls, math, and customer service.

Front desk host vs front desk associate overview

	Front Desk Host	Front Desk Associate
Yearly salary	$31,080	$27,236
Hourly rate	$14.94	$13.09
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	69,194	77,432
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 47%	Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age	37	37
Years of experience	-	-

What does a front desk host do?

The front desk host is responsible for welcoming guests upon arrival. As the host, you will be required to oversee the operation of the front office. You'll manage the shifts and generally provide administrative support to hotel management. You will greet guests with enthusiasm and in a welcoming manner, seat customers, and sometimes take orders. A front desk host takes actions to correct problems, answer questions, interact with guests professionally, and complete customer transactions swiftly and with efficiency.

What does a front desk associate do?

Front-Desk Associates are the face of a hotel. Their duties are focused on assisting guests and attaining customer satisfaction. Aside from great communication skills, Front-Desk Associates must also have a pleasing personality and great presence of mind as guests will come to them first should there be any issues on the services provided. Moreover, among the duties of Front-Desk Associates include performing room check-ins and check-outs, accepting and arranging reservations, assigning rooms, maintain booking and payments, and communicate with the entire hotel staff to ensure quality service.

Front desk host vs front desk associate salary

Front desk hosts and front desk associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Front Desk Host	Front Desk Associate
Average salary	$31,080	$27,236
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $37,000	Between $20,000 And $35,000
Highest paying City	-	New York, NY
Highest paying state	-	New York
Best paying company	-	Wyndham Capital Mortgage
Best paying industry	-	Hospitality

Differences between front desk host and front desk associate education

There are a few differences between a front desk host and a front desk associate in terms of educational background:

	Front Desk Host	Front Desk Associate
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 47%	Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Front desk host vs front desk associate demographics

Here are the differences between front desk hosts' and front desk associates' demographics:

	Front Desk Host	Front Desk Associate
Average age	37	37
Gender ratio	Male, 42.1% Female, 57.9%	Male, 31.3% Female, 68.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 22.5% Asian, 11.0% White, 49.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%	Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 6.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 9.3% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage	13%	13%

Differences between front desk host and front desk associate duties and responsibilities

Front desk host example responsibilities.

Manage patients records by keeping all medical history, insurance and personal information update and verify abiding by HIPAA protocols.
Skil with scanners and cash registers, particularly POS machines.
Review arrivals, noting special requests and blocking rooms as necessary for VIP members and group check-ins.
Cashier, operate POS system, fax, handle multiple phone lines, and transfer calls to appropriate division.
Serve as resource for guests: make reservations and answer any questions in person, over the phone or via e-mail.
Coordinate all daily incoming calls and assist customers with reservations and room location.

Front desk associate example responsibilities.

Manage customer service issues with ease and charm and train other co workers in daily operations.
Manage confidential information and documentation, including financial data, and credit card information and payroll checks.
Manage patients records by keeping all medical history, insurance and personal information update and verify abiding by HIPAA protocols.
Process reservations for business groups via opera system.
Process guest reservations, assess needs and ensure appropriate accommodations and assist guests with concierge-relate services.
Contact patients regarding unpaid and underpay accounts, verification of insurance, accounting, customer service, computer and telephone operations.

Front desk host vs front desk associate skills

Common front desk host skills

Front Desk, 32%
Cleanliness, 17%
Greeting Guests, 12%
Hotel Services, 7%
Front Door, 7%
Merchandise Sales, 6%

Common front desk associate skills

Phone Calls, 21%
Math, 13%
Customer Service, 13%
Basic Math, 11%
Strong Customer Service, 10%
Cash Handling, 8%

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Front Desk Host
Front Desk Host vs Front Desk Associate

Updated January 8, 2025

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