How to become a baggage porters and bellhop

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

Steps to get there

Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

What baggage porters and bellhops do

• Receive and mark baggage by completing and attaching claim checks.
• Greet incoming guests and escort them to their rooms.
• Transport guests about premises and local areas, or arrange for transportation.
• Maintain clean lobbies or entrance areas for travelers or guests.
• Transfer luggage, trunks, and packages to and from rooms, loading areas, vehicles, or transportation terminals, by hand or using baggage carts.
• Supply guests or travelers with directions, travel information, and other information, such as available services and points of interest.

Skills that matter most

• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Critical Thinking
• Reading Comprehension
• Monitoring
• Writing
• Active Learning
• Learning Strategies

Is baggage porters and bellhop a good career?

On the numbers, this job is close to the average across occupations. Median pay is 27% below the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.

Where it pays most

• New York $48,610
• Hawaii $42,240
• New Jersey $41,080
• Massachusetts $41,040
• Washington $41,010

Baggage Porters and Bellhops salary by state and city

Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.