There are currently more than 40,000 Concierges working in the United States across various industries.
Projections for this position show that the number of Concierges in the United States will increase by 19.9% between 2020 and 2030.
With such an increase in Concierge positions, you might want to learn more about what this role entails. That is why we created this guide: to help you fully understand the role of a Concierge, what it does and how to become one.
Keep reading to find out more.
What Is a Concierge?
A Concierge is an individual who welcomes guests in a particular setting.
Concierges in the hospitality industry are commonly employed in hotels, where they greet guests and provide personalized recommendations to enhance each guest’s stay.
In a sense, they have a similar role to Receptionists, although Concierges usually have more duties and must have better knowledge of local events and attractions.
What Does a Concierge Do?
Concierges have a dynamic role and day-to-day activities.
It is their duty to ensure that guests and visitors of the establishment where they work have a pleasant stay.
As such, some of the most common Concierge duties include:
- Assisting guests, visitors and patrons of a hotel or a particular establishment
- Taking or receiving messages for guests or patrons
- Organize transportation for guests to specific locations according to the guests’ preferences
- Handle guest requests and provide personalized recommendations to ensure patron satisfaction
Top 5 Skills of Successful Concierges
Concierges who wish to succeed in their role must combine multiple soft skills with knowledge of the local area. This combination will allow them to make personalized recommendations in a friendly and efficient way.
Some of the top skills necessary for all Concierges include:
1. Communication
Concierges must have excellent communication skills to positively interact with guests and visitors.
2. Problem-solving
Concierges must often tackle the requests of visitors and patrons, sometimes having to address more difficult requests and inquiries. Successful Concierges will find a way to address all requests or provide alternative solutions to guests’ needs.
3. Attention to detail
Concierges must have excellent attention to detail. It helps them manage reservations, book appointments and keep track of schedules.
Hotel Concierges should also be able to pay attention to guests’ preferences to successfully make personalized recommendations.
4. Organization
Concierges often must tackle multiple guest requests at once. Remaining highly organized is essential to ensure efficient prioritization of tasks and to make sure that all guests receive prompt care.
5. Knowledge of local events and attractions
Concierges must constantly be updated on local events and attractions to make personalized recommendations to guests and patrons.
How To Become a Concierge
Concierge is typically an entry-level position, meaning that there aren’t too many education and experience requirements necessary for this role.
That said, most employers will look for Concierges who have the following:
- High school diploma or an equivalent: A high school diploma or GED is usually the minimum education requirement for Concierges. That said, applicants who have further education or additional certifications will have a competitive edge over the competition.
- Customer-oriented work experience: Individuals who have previous experience in a customer-orientated role can greatly improve their chances of becoming Concierges. Employers usually look for someone who has one to two years in a similar role.
- Certifications: Individuals who wish to demonstrate their dedication to succeeding in the Concierge role can acquire certifications that prove their skills. Some of the courses to consider are AHLAEI’s Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) and IATA’s Travel and Tourism Professional (TTP).
Can I Become a Concierge Even Without Experience?
Yes, you can become a Concierge without having prior experience.
The specific requirements for the Concierge role vary from employer to employer. While some Concierge positions might require certifications and experience, there are employers who are willing to train individuals in how to become a successful Concierge in their establishment.
You can become a Concierge without experience by:
- Researching and understanding Concierge responsibilities
- Developing relevant skills
- Preparing for your Concierge job interview
- Networking with people already working in similar positions
- Remaining persistent and actively looking out for Concierge job openings
Concierge Earning Potential
The average salary for Concierges working in the United States is $3,352.50 base plus tips per month or $40,230.00 base plus tips per year.
That said, Concierge salary can greatly vary based on factors such as skills and experience, location and type of employer.
In fact, while Concierges who are just starting their career earn $14.19 per hour, top earning Concierges can earn as much as $27.53 hourly.
Location is another factor that affects Concierge earnings. While Concierges working in NYC can earn $47,740 base plus tips per year, Concierges in Miami earn an annual salary of $39,720.
Explore Concierge salaries in major U.S. cities below:
| City | Avg Salary | Avg Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| NYC, NY | 58,416 | 28.08 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 56,428 | 27.13 |
| Chicago, IL | 54,028 | 25.98 |
| Miami, FL | 45,422 | 21.84 |
Concierge Work Environment
Concierges work in several industries across the United States. As such, their environment and work setting can greatly vary based on the industry and type of employer.
See the top five industries that employ the most Concierges below:
[Source: The Bureau of Labor Statistics]
Given these industries in which Concierges work, some of the establishments where you will most commonly find Concierges include:
- Hotels
- Apartment buildings
- Corporate offices
- Hospitals
- Entertainment venues
Concierge Career Progression
Given that Concierges work in multiple industries and settings, they can move up and develop their career in several ways.
For example, Concierges working in hotels can gain experience and develop additional skills to become Assistant Hotel Managers or even Hotel Managers.
Alternatively, Concierges who work in an office setting can further their career to become Office Supervisors or Managers.
Explore some of the potential Concierge career progressions below:
Is Concierge the Right Role for You?
See if you have what it takes to be a Concierge by taking our quiz below.
Results
Congratulations!
Based on your responses, it appears that a career as a Concierge could be an excellent fit for you. Your skills and preferences align well with the demands of the role.
Embrace this opportunity and consider furthering your training or gaining hands-on experience by applying for Concierge Jobs.
Here’s to a promising future in hospitality!
There’s great potential!
While the quiz results suggest that a Concierge role may not be an immediate perfect match, there’s ample opportunity for growth and success with commitment and focused effort.
Consider investing time in honing your management skills, perhaps by taking courses or gaining more experience in restaurant operations. You can also visit our Cashier Job Description page to learn more about what this dynamic role entails and how you can improve your chances.
#1. What best describes your personality?
#2. How do you feel about multitasking?
#3. How important is attention to detail to you?
#4. How do you handle difficult situations or complaints?
#5. Are you comfortable working irregular hours, including nights and weekends?
#6. How do you feel about learning new skills and technologies?
#7. Do you enjoy researching and providing recommendations for various services and activities?
#8. How do you prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment?
#9. How do you feel about going above and beyond to exceed customer expectations?
#10. Are you comfortable representing a company or establishment with professionalism and poise?
Concierge Career FAQs
The short answer: it depends.
Concierge can be an entry-level position, meaning it is possible for you to land a Concierge job with a high school diploma and no prior experience.
However, for better-paid Concierge roles, you will need to develop additional skills and gain experience with the role.
Concierges can face challenges related to time- management and prioritization.
Sometimes guests or visitors will have multiple, simultaneous requests — resulting in Concierges having to juggle multiple tasks and efficiently prioritizing them to ensure prompt service.
Concierges typically attend regular training sessions, workshops and networking events within the hospitality industry.
They also maintain relationships with local businesses and regularly research and explore new offerings in their area.
While there are certain similarities between the position of a Concierge and of a Receptionist, there are also key differences.
Receptionists typically manage administrative tasks such as answering phones, greeting visitors, and handling check-ins and check-outs.
A Concierge’s role has a broader scope than that of a Receptionist. They must stay up to date on the latest trends and attractions to make personalized recommendations, acquire tickets to events, make reservations to busy restaurants and coordinate special requests to enhance every guest’s stay.
