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Receptionist careers in the United States

4,832

related job openings on Indeed

9%

job growth since last year

What does a Receptionist do?

A receptionist is an administrative professional who works at the front desk of a business. They greet clients and visitors in a friendly manner, answer phone calls and perform a variety of administrative tasks. They may schedule appointments, direct visitors and answer general inquiries. They work with staff members including senior and executive staff, and with the general public. Receptionists may advance their careers by pursuing positions in marketing, sales or office management roles.

Working as a Receptionist

A receptionist's typical day-to-day include:

Greeting clients and visitors and answering general questions
Answering phones and directing calls to the appropriate staff members
Scheduling appointments, reserving rooms and maintaining the daily calendar of appointments
Managing client paperwork and updating records in the business's database
Answering emails, distributing incoming mail and managing outgoing mail

How much does a Receptionist make in the United States?

Average base salary

77.1k salaries reported, updated at May 22, 2020

$13.59

per hour

The average salary for a receptionist is $13.59 per hour in the United States.

Most common benefits

Employee discount
Paid time off
Flexible schedule
Health insurance
Dental insurance

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How can I know if I am being paid fairly?

If you’re unsure about what salary is appropriate for a position, visit Indeed's Salary Calculator to get a free, personalized pay range based on your location, industry and experience.

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Is being a receptionist a stressful job?

Receptionists may work in fast-paced work environments or have a high level of administrative responsibility. They may feel stress from having to manage high call volume and administrative requests from staff. They also serve as the face of the company and may need to resolve issues on behalf of staff members and deal with difficult customers while maintaining a professional demeanor.

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How can I become certified?

The Certified Professional Receptionist certification is administered by the National Association of Professional receptionists. The Certified Administrative Professional certification is available through the International Association of Administrative Professionals. Either of these certificates will prove your professional expertise as a receptionist and your commitment to continuing professional development.

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Do I need prior administrative experience to become a receptionist?

How can receptionists advance their careers?

Experienced receptionists can use their knowledge of office procedures and best practices to apply to office manager positions. They may also use their experience working in a fast-paced, customer service role to transition into a career in sales. Similarly, they could use their knowledge of customer preferences as well as company identity and branding to transition into a career in marketing.

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