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.
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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
The average salary for a receptionist is $15.40 per hour in the United States. 37.6k salaries reported, updated at May 19, 2022.
Where can a Receptionist earn more?
Compare salaries for Receptionists in different locations
How much do similar professions get paid in United States?
Administrative Assistant
146,348 job openingsAverage $18.34 per hour
Front Desk Agent
59,199 job openingsAverage $14.96 per hour
Customer Service Representative
185,103 job openingsAverage $17.11 per hour
Office Administrator
24,260 job openingsAverage $18.96 per hour
Receptionist/Administrative Assistant
1,404 job openingsAverage $16.92 per hour
Front Desk Receptionist
155,742 job openingsAverage $31,261 per year
Common questions about for a Receptionist
How can I know if I am being paid fairly?
If you’re unsure about what salary is appropriate for a receptionist position, visit Indeed's Salary Calculator to get a free, personalized pay range based on your location, industry and experience.
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.
Do I need prior administrative experience to become a receptionist?
Receptionists typically need to have a high school diploma but don't need to have prior administrative experience unless specified by the employer. Receptionists can learn company best practices and the skills they need during on-the-job training.
