Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
In San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks earn $44,520 at the median — $21.4 an hour. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $55K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $40,319 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 113.3% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $45K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $45K.Top earners bring in $55K or more - a $15K spread from bottom to top.
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $59K | +71% | 2,870 |
| District of Columbia | $45K | +30% | 1,330 |
| California | $39K | +14% | 27,500 |
| Washington | $39K | +14% | 5,750 |
| New York | $39K | +13% | 10,150 |
| Vermont | $39K | +13% | 620 |
| Massachusetts | $38K | +12% | 4,050 |
| Nevada | $38K | +11% | 5,030 |
| Maine | $38K | +10% | 1,690 |
| Rhode Island | $38K | +9% | 690 |
| New Jersey | $37K | +9% | 4,620 |
| Oregon | $36K | +6% | 4,350 |
| New Hampshire | $36K | +6% | 890 |
| Connecticut | $36K | +5% | 1,570 |
| Minnesota | $36K | +5% | 4,660 |
Track hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $44,520 a year - that works out to about $21.4 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $39,550, and experienced hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks can clear $54,600. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $45K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,071/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 113.4% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks salary go in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks salary is worth about $40,319 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.