Baggage Porters and Bellhops

Most baggage porters and bellhops are paid at an hourly rate, which ranged from $11.88 per hour for the lowest 10 percent (making a yearly income of $24,710 for full-time work) to as high as $22.89 per hour or more (roughly $47,610 a year) for the highest 10 percent in May 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The median salary was $11.64 an hour, or $34,840 per year. Fifty percent of baggage porters and bellhops earned between $14.51 and $18.89 (or $30,180–$39,290 annually).

Bellhops are often paid the minimum wage, which varies by state, and in some cases is higher than the federal minimum. Bell attendants' total earnings are greatly supplemented with tips, which may add $100 to $150 a week or more to the income. A common rule for tipping bellhops is about $1 to $2 per piece of luggage. At some large, busy hotels bellhops may earn up to $100 a day in tips alone.

Full-time employees are offered health insurance, sick and vacation time, and employee discounts. Some hotels give discounted room rates for their employees.