Receptionist salary
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What a receptionist does
Receptionists are the first point of contact for an organisation — greeting visitors, handling calls and supporting the office.
Day-to-day duties
- Greet visitors and manage sign-in
- Answer and route calls
- Manage meeting room bookings
- Handle post and deliveries
- Provide general admin support
Skills employers look for
- Warm, professional first impression
- Phone manner
- Multitasking at a busy desk
- Basic office software
Requirements Entry level
- High school diploma typically
- Computer literacy
- Professional presentation
- Reliable timekeeping — the desk must be covered
How to get started
- 1 Apply — commonly an entry-level office role
- 2 Take on additional admin responsibilities
- 3 Move to administrative assistant
- 4 Progress into specialised admin or office management
Job outlook: Consistent demand, particularly in medical and professional practices where front-desk coverage is essential.
Common questions about receptionists
What does a receptionist do?
Receptionists are the first point of contact for an organisation — greeting visitors, handling calls and supporting the office. Day to day, that means greet visitors and manage sign-in, answer and route calls, manage meeting room bookings and handle post and deliveries.
How do you become a receptionist?
The usual route is: (1) apply — commonly an entry-level office role, (2) take on additional admin responsibilities, (3) move to administrative assistant, (4) progress into specialised admin or office management. Employers typically look for high school diploma typically, computer literacy and professional presentation.
Do you need a certification to work as a receptionist?
Usually not. Most employers hire receptionists without a specific licence, and train on the job.
Are receptionists in demand?
Consistent demand, particularly in medical and professional practices where front-desk coverage is essential.
Where are receptionists most in demand?
See the metro and rural areas with the highest concentration of this work, ranked from Bureau of Labor Statistics employment data.
Similar roles
Pay figures are estimates for guidance only, not an offer or guarantee. Advertised ranges come from job postings on LocalWork; government figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Actual pay depends on experience, certifications, shift and employer.