Receptionist career guide
A receptionist is the first person visitors and callers reach. They greet people, answer phones, schedule appointments and keep the front office running, in offices, medical practices, salons, schools and many other workplaces.
Pay data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Job content: O*NET 31.0. Updated 2026-10-26.
- $38,010median annual wage (U.S.)
- $18.27median hourly wage
- 910,180people employed in the U.S.
- High School Diploma or the equivalentmost common required education
What a receptionist does
Answer inquiries and provide information to the general public, customers, visitors, and other interested parties regarding activities conducted at establishment and location of departments, offices, and employees within the organization.
Typical tasks
- Operate telephone switchboard to answer, screen, or forward calls, providing information, taking messages, or scheduling appointments.
- Greet persons entering establishment, determine nature and purpose of visit, and direct or escort them to specific destinations.
- Receive payment and record receipts for services.
- Schedule appointments and maintain and update appointment calendars.
- Transmit information or documents to customers, using computer, mail, or facsimile machine.
- Hear and resolve complaints from customers or the public.
- File and maintain records.
- Provide information about establishment, such as location of departments or offices, employees within the organization, or services provided.
A typical day
The day is a steady mix of phone calls, walk-ins and small tasks: checking people in, booking and confirming appointments, sorting mail and answering the same questions clearly many times. In medical and legal offices, receptionists also handle forms and private information with care.
Skills employers look for
These are the skills O*NET rates as most important for this occupation.
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Service Orientation
- Social Perceptiveness
- Coordination
- Time Management
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administrative
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
Tools and technology
Examples of technology used in this occupation, from O*NET: Google Docs, Intuit QuickBooks, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word.
Education and training
When O*NET asked people in this occupation what education the job requires, the most common answers were:
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED): 49% of respondents
- Some College Courses: 26% of respondents
- Post-Secondary Certificate: 21% of respondents
Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Receptionist pay
The median annual wage for receptionists and information clerks was $38,010 in May 2025 ($18.27 an hour). Half of workers earned between $33,960 and $45,130.
Highest-paying states
- District of Columbia: $49,060 median
- Alaska: $44,720 median
- Washington: $44,710 median
- California: $44,100 median
- Massachusetts: $43,870 median
States with the most receptionists
- California: 82,470 employed
- Texas: 78,330 employed
- New York: 65,010 employed
- Florida: 63,280 employed
- New Jersey: 42,060 employed
Receptionist pay in every state
How to get hired
Most receptionist jobs require a high school diploma and basic computer skills. Employers look for a warm, professional manner, organization and reliability. Experience with scheduling software, a calendar system or office tools helps, and medical offices value familiarity with insurance forms and privacy rules.
Job titles you may see
Front Desk Receptionist, Greeter, Office Assistant, Receptionist.
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Receptionist salary by state · Receptionist job description and interview questions
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment estimates: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, cross-industry estimates for all ownerships. Figures are as published; BLS does not publish some estimates for some states. As defined by BLS, wages include tips, commissions and production bonuses, and exclude overtime pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses and other premium pay. BLS OEWS
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Jobder has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET Database
Written and maintained by the Jobder team. Last updated 2026-10-26. Questions or corrections: support@jobder.pro.
Frequently asked questions
What does a receptionist do?
Answer inquiries and provide information to the general public, customers, visitors, and other interested parties regarding activities conducted at establishment and location of departments, offices, and employees within the organization.
How much does a receptionist make?
The median annual wage for receptionists and information clerks in the United States was $38,010 in May 2025, or $18.27 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $28,760 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $49,950.
What education do you need to become a receptionist?
In O*NET's survey of people in this occupation, the most common answer for required education was "High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)" (49% of respondents). O*NET classifies the occupation as "Very Little to Some Preparation Needed".
Which state pays receptionists the most?
District of Columbia had the highest median annual wage for this occupation in May 2025, at $49,060, followed by Alaska ($44,720) and Washington ($44,710).
How many receptionists are there in the U.S.?
BLS estimated 910,180 people were employed as receptionists and information clerks in May 2025. California employed the most, with 82,470.