Receptionist salary in Richmond, VA

The median pay for a receptionist in Richmond, VA is $17.50 an hour — about $36,400 a year full time. That figure comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Richmond, VA (2025). Half of the roles pay more than this and half pay less, so treat it as the middle of the market rather than a target.

Most receptionists in Richmond, VA earn between $13.72 an hour and $21.98 an hour — that is the 10th to the 90th percentile. The spread usually reflects experience, shift, certifications and employer size more than anything else.

Pay at the bottom of the range — roughly what someone starting out can expect — is around $13.72 an hour in Richmond, VA. A quarter of receptionists earn below $14.95 an hour, so the first year or two typically sits in that band. This is a role employers routinely fill with people who have no prior experience.

The top 10% of receptionists in Richmond, VA earn about $21.98 an hour or more, roughly 1.3× the median. Getting there usually means experience plus something specific — certifications, supervisory duties, specialised skills or premium shifts.

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.

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.

Usually not. Most employers hire receptionists without a specific licence, and train on the job.

Consistent demand, particularly in medical and professional practices where front-desk coverage is essential.