Front Desk Agent Vs Front Desk Attendant

The differences between front desk agents and front desk attendants 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 $26,874 average annual salary of a front desk attendant.

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

Front desk agent vs front desk attendant overview

Front Desk AgentFront Desk Attendant
Yearly Salary$31,008$26,874
Hourly rate$14.91$12.92
Growth Rate--
Number Of Jobs96,392107,058
Job Satisfaction--
Most Common DegreeBachelor's Degree, 42%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average Age3737
Years Of Experience--

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 front desk attendant do?

A front desk attendant serves as the primary point of contact in a building or establishment, ensuring customer satisfaction. Their duties mainly revolve around greeting visitors, responding to inquiries, handling calls and correspondence, arranging appointments, and coordinating with various building offices and departments. Moreover, a front desk attendant's responsibilities will vary on the line of work or one's industry of employment. There are instances in a hotel setting where they must handle check-in and check-out processes, make reservations, and offer amenities.

Front desk agent vs front desk attendant salary

Front desk agents and front desk attendants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Front Desk AgentFront Desk Attendant
Average Salary$31,008$26,874
Salary RangeBetween $25,000 And $37,000Between $20,000 And $35,000
Highest Paying CitySeattle, WAAnaheim, CA
Highest Paying StateWashingtonCalifornia
Best Paying CompanyBrookhaven National LaboratoryLone Star Circle of Care
Best Paying IndustryHospitalityEducation

Differences between front desk agent and front desk attendant education

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

Front Desk AgentFront Desk Attendant
Most Common DegreeBachelor's Degree, 42%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most Common MajorBusinessBusiness
Most Common College--

Front desk agent vs front desk attendant demographics

Here are the differences between front desk agents' and front desk attendants' demographics:

Front Desk AgentFront Desk Attendant
Average Age3737
Gender RatioMale, 31.2% Female, 68.8%Male, 35.1% Female, 64.9%
Race RatioBlack 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, 9.7% Unknown, 6.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 9.5% White, 55.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage13%13%

Differences between front desk agent and front desk attendant 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.
  • Show More

Front Desk Attendant Example Responsibilities.

  • Manage confidential information and documentation, including financial data, and credit card information and payroll checks.
  • Perform extensive customer service, including communicating with members, scheduling reservations, and fielding complaints.
  • Count and identify clothing to charge correctly on POS system, rack clothing in order on conveyor belt.
  • Serve guests in a timely and professional manner, handle money/make change, and work with a POS system.
  • Monitor cleanliness and organization of yoga studio and lobby areas.
  • Assist on special projects consisting of transferring reservations to new internal booking system and balancing advance deposits
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Front desk agent vs front desk attendant skills

Common Front Desk Agent Skills
  • Reservations, 23%
  • Team Work, 8%
  • Guest Service, 6%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Computer System, 4%
  • Guest Satisfaction, 4%
Common Front Desk Attendant Skills
  • Reservations, 17%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Cleanliness, 10%
  • Phone Calls, 9%
  • Work Ethic, 8%
  • Guest Satisfaction, 5%

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