Occupation salary profile

Baggage Porters and Bellhops

SOC 39-6011 BLS OEWS May 2025

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

National median · BLS
$37,080
▲ +2.94% YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$38,570
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
28,510
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Baggage Porters and Bellhops

Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.

Percentile All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay$27,040
25th$31,200
Median (50th)$37,080
75th$44,130
90th — top pay$51,600

Hourly ⇄ annual pay

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Based on hrs/week × weeks/year = 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035

Job outlook for Baggage Porters and Bellhops

BLS projects employment of baggage porters and bellhops to decline 3% from 2025 to 2035, while employment across all occupations grows 3.5%. About 3,800 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.

Jobs 2025 → 2035
29,200 → 28,400
-900 jobs
Projected change
-3%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
3,800
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
Self-employed
1.7% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 2)
Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Fastest-declining jobs → Best-paying jobs that need a high school diploma →

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–2035

Skills & tools

Skills needed for Baggage Porters and Bellhops

How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.

Top skills
  • Service Orientation3.8
  • Active Listening3.6
  • Speaking3.6
  • Coordination3.0
  • Critical Thinking3.0
  • Complex Problem Solving2.9
  • Monitoring2.9
  • Reading Comprehension2.9
  • Social Perceptiveness2.9
  • Time Management2.9
Top knowledge areas
  • Customer and Personal Service4.6
  • English Language3.7
  • Public Safety and Security3.4
  • Transportation3.4
  • Sales and Marketing2.8
  • Education and Training2.7
  • Computers and Electronics2.7
  • Telecommunications2.5
Software and technology used
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordCorel WordPerfect Office Suite

Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

About the job

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.
  • Explain the operation of room features, such as locks, ventilation systems, and televisions.
  • Assist travelers and guests with disabilities.
Also called
Bell CaptainBellmanSkycapValetBell PersonBellhopBellpersonDoormanGround Support AgentSky Cap
More job titles for this occupation (36)
Airport GuideBaggage AgentBaggage CheckerBaggage HandlerBaggage PorterBaggage SmasherBaggagemanBell AttendantBell ClerkBell StaffBellman CaptainBellman DriverBellstaffBellstand AttendantCall WorkerCart and Bag AttendantDonation Door AttendantDoor AttendantDoorpersonFood PorterGuest Environment ExpertGuest Service ExpertHall PorterHotel Baggage HandlerHouse AttendantLobby PorterLuggage AttendantPorterRailroad Baggage PorterRed CapRedcapService Technician (Service Tech)Sleeping Car PorterStation Baggage PorterValet Service AttendantWheelchair Agent

Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.