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Baggage Porters and Bellhops

Typical education: High school diplomaLower pressure

What they do

Handle baggage for travelers at transportation terminals or for guests at hotels or similar establishments.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Social: Helping, teaching, caring for and supporting other people.

Lower pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $37,080 Median per year · $17.83/hr Most earn $27,040–$51,600

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Maintain clean lobbies or entrance areas for travelers or guests.
  • Deliver messages and room service orders, and run errands for guests.
  • Complete baggage insurance forms.
  • Explain the operation of room features, such as locks, ventilation systems, and televisions.
  • Supply guests or travelers with directions, travel information, and other information, such as available services and points of interest.
  • Act as part of the security team at transportation terminals, hotels, or similar establishments.

Job outlook

United States
3% fewer jobs by 2035, declining · about 3,800 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Support activities for air transportation13.3%
  • Other personal services8.1%
  • Casino hotels7.8%
  • Real estate4.8%
  • Local government, excluding education and hospitals2.5%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 1 to 3 months

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: High school diplomaExperience before this job: 1 to 3 monthsEntry-level

Baggage Porter and Bellhop is an entry-level job. Most people start with a high school diploma and learn the work on the job, usually in one to three months. Getting started can be quick, and it's a good first step into hotel or airport work.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Finish high school and build customer service, communication, and teamwork skills, which employers look for in people who deal with travelers and guests.

  2. Baggage Porter and Bellhop

    1-3 months of on-the-job training and experience

    Start by helping travelers or hotel guests with their bags, learning the property or terminal, and building a record of reliable, friendly service.

Where it can lead

  1. Concierge

    6 months to 1 year of experience first

    As a concierge you help guests with recommendations, reservations, and local information instead of mainly moving bags, so you need strong knowledge of the area and good problem-solving skills.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take English and speech or communication classesStrong speaking and listening skills help you explain directions and handle guest questions clearly.
  • Get a part-time job in customer serviceWorking at a store, restaurant, or front counter teaches you how to stay calm and helpful with many different people.
  • Volunteer at a local event, hotel, or airport if possibleHelping at events shows you what guest-facing work is like and gives you a reference for future jobs.
  • Learn a second languageMany travelers and guests speak other languages, and bilingual workers are often valued at terminals and hotels.
  • Stay physically activeLifting, walking, and standing for long shifts are a big part of the job, so regular exercise helps you prepare.

In college

  • Take hospitality, tourism, or customer service coursesClasses in guest service or hospitality give you a basic understanding of how hotels and travel businesses run.
  • Work a campus job in event services, housing, or diningCampus jobs build reliable habits and show you how to serve many people during busy periods.
  • Get a first aid and CPR certificationMany hotels and terminals value staff who can respond calmly in an emergency, and this certificate is usually easy to earn.
  • Look for a summer job or internship at a hotel or airportHands-on work at a property or terminal lets you learn the daily routine and make contacts in the industry.

Tips for getting started

  • Practice friendly, clear conversation with strangers, since guest service is the core of this job and it is what employers notice most.
  • Ask about shifts, weekends, and holidays before you apply, because hotels and airports often run around the clock and busy times matter.
  • Be ready to lift and carry heavy bags safely, so consider building up your physical fitness and learning proper lifting technique.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

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