Receptionists
Overview
Introduction
Receptionists—so named because they receive visitors in places of business—have the important job of giving a businesss clients and visitors a positive first impression. Also called information clerks, these front-line workers are the first communication sources who greet clients and visitors to an office, answer their questions, and direct them to the people they wish to see. Receptionists also answer telephones, take and distribute messages for other employees, and make sure no one enters the office unescorted or unauthor...
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
Earnings for receptionists vary widely with the education and experience of the worker and type, size, and geographic location of the business. The median annual salary for receptionists was $37,230 in May 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), with salaries ranging from $28,280 to $48,870 or higher.
Health care and social assistance providers employ 45 percent of all rec...
Work Environment
Because receptionists usually work near or at the main entrance to the business, their work area is one of the first places seen by a visitor. Therefore, these areas are usually pleasant and clean and are carefully furnished and decorated to create a favorable, businesslike impression. Work areas are almost always air-conditioned, well lit, and relatively quiet, although a receptionists phone r...
Outlook
Overall employment for receptionists is expected to decline by 1 percent from 2023 through 2033, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH). The OOH says that job opportunities are "expected to decline as organizations continue to automate or consolidate administrative functions. For example, many organizations use computer software, Web sites, mobile applications, or other t...