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Receptionist: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$38,010median pay per year, or $18.27 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $28,760lowest 10% earn less
  2. $33,96025th percentile
  3. $38,010median
  4. $45,13075th percentile
  5. $49,950top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

Receptionists and information clerks had a median pay of $38,010 a year in May 2025, below the $50,980 median for all occupations[1][2]. Entry is open to people with a high school diploma, and employers train new hires on the job[3].

Job growth, 2025–35
-1.7%[5]
Openings per year
105,100[6]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[3]

How much do receptionists make?

The median wage for receptionists and information clerks was $38,010 a year, or $18.27 an hour[1]. Half earned more and half earned less. The average was $39,460 a year, or $18.97 an hour[7]. The median for all occupations was $50,980[2].

The pay range is fairly tight. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $28,760 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $49,950[4].

Measure Annual Hourly
Lowest-paid 10% earned less than[4][8] $28,760 $13.83
25th percentile[4][8] $33,960 $16.33
Median[1] $38,010 $18.27
75th percentile[4][8] $45,130 $21.70
Highest-paid 10% earned more than[4][8] $49,950 $24.01

A percentile is a boundary. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9]. The figures cover wage and salary workers, and they leave out the self-employed, nonproduction bonuses and the cost of benefits[10].

Pay by state and city

Among the 50 states and the District of Columbia with published data, the District of Columbia had the highest median at $49,060[11]. Alaska followed at $44,720 and Washington at $44,710[11]. Mississippi had the lowest published median at $31,160[11].

California had the most jobs at 82,470, then Texas with 78,330, New York with 65,010, Florida with 63,280 and New Jersey with 42,060[12].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA had the highest median at $49,450[13]. Fairbanks-College, AK was next at $47,260, then San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $47,130[13]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs at 74,190, and its median was $44,690[14]. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA came second with 35,000 jobs and a median of $43,280[14].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
District of Columbia[11]$49,0602,000
Alaska$44,7201,530
Washington$44,71026,500
California$44,10082,470
Massachusetts$43,87018,970
New York$43,08065,010
Rhode Island$42,6204,270
Maine$42,4403,440
Colorado$42,01011,020
New Jersey$41,65042,060
Hawaii$41,6003,510
Wisconsin$41,15025,580
Oregon$40,90013,590
Connecticut$40,63014,980
North Dakota$39,5301,930
Arizona$38,73023,220
Vermont$38,3701,160
South Dakota$38,2805,760
New Hampshire$38,1605,320
Maryland$38,10018,390
Nebraska$37,8606,750
Minnesota$37,51011,800
Wyoming$37,4801,540
Michigan$37,47025,230
Illinois$37,40040,370
Montana$37,3601,280
Iowa$37,3304,660
Virginia$37,06023,360
Nevada$37,05010,650
Utah$36,96012,020
Florida$36,81063,280
Idaho$36,8105,340
Pennsylvania$36,81037,830
Delaware$36,3102,880
Indiana$36,16017,360
Georgia$36,10026,080
Kansas$36,0507,290
Ohio$35,92030,850
Missouri$35,74018,890
South Carolina$35,51011,280
North Carolina$35,44020,080
Texas$35,21078,330
New Mexico$35,1405,650
Tennessee$34,91011,460
Arkansas$34,84010,870
Oklahoma$34,5609,380
Kentucky$32,9409,290
Louisiana$32,75012,820
Alabama$32,59010,460
West Virginia$31,9205,470
Mississippi$31,1606,920

How to become a receptionist

Requirements differ by industry and employer[15]. In an O*NET survey of 32 workers, 49% said a high school diploma or equivalent was required, 26% said some college courses and 21% said a post-secondary certificate[18]. That is a small survey, so treat it as a rough picture.

Skills the OOH highlights include clear speaking and writing, computer skills, courtesy with customers, discretion with confidential data, and organization[19][20][21][22][23]. Receptionists may later move into other administrative jobs with more responsibility, such as secretary or administrative assistant roles[24].

What receptionists do

O*NET describes the job as answering questions from the public, customers and visitors about the organization and where to find departments, offices and staff[25]. Typical tasks include:

Workers in O*NET report titles such as Front Desk Receptionist, Medical Receptionist, Greeter and Office Assistant[27].

Where they work

Receptionists work in nearly every industry[28]. The largest employer group in 2025 was healthcare and social assistance, at 42%[29]. Only 0.7% were self-employed[30].

They usually sit in visible, easy-to-reach spots such as a lobby front desk or a waiting room[31]. Some face stressful moments, such as a heavy flow of calls or difficult visitors[32]. Most work full time. Some, such as those in hospitals and nursing homes, work evenings and weekends[33].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of receptionists and information clerks to decline 1.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 947,500 to 931,600 jobs[5]. Employment across all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[34]. BLS lists one factor: software that uses artificial intelligence is expected to take over some data collection and document preparation tasks done by clerks[35].

Even so, about 105,100 openings a year are projected on average[6]. Openings include workers who retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 5.3% of workers leave the labor force and 6.1% move to a different occupation[36].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a job that is easy to enter. It asks for a high school diploma, no related experience, and a short stretch of on-the-job training[3][17]. Pay is below the all-occupations median, and the range between the lowest and highest earners is narrow[1][2][4]. Employment is projected to shrink slightly, though openings remain plentiful because many workers move on[5][6][36]. Employers may prefer candidates who have experience with certain computer software[16].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a receptionist make an hour?
The median was $18.27 an hour and the average was $18.97 in May 2025[1][7]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $13.83 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $24.01[8].
What do you need to be a receptionist?
A high school diploma or equivalent is the typical education, with no related experience needed and short-term on-the-job training[3].
How long is receptionist training?
Most receptionists get short-term training that lasts from a few days up to a month[17].
What is the highest paying state for receptionists?
The District of Columbia had the highest median at $49,060, then Alaska at $44,720 and Washington at $44,710[11].
Is receptionist a growing job?
BLS projects a 1.7% decline from 2025 to 2035, while all occupations are projected to grow 3.5%[5][34]. About 105,100 openings a year are still projected[6].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Receptionists and Information Clerks in the US was $38,010 per year and $18.27 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Receptionists and Information Clerks: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Receptionists and Information Clerks: 10th percentile $28,760, 25th percentile $33,960, 75th percentile $45,130, 90th percentile $49,950. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Receptionists and Information Clerks is projected to decline 1.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 947,500 to 931,600 jobs (a change of -16,000). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 105,100 openings for Receptionists and Information Clerks are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Receptionists and Information Clerks was $39,460 per year and $18.97 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Receptionists and Information Clerks: 10th percentile $13.83, 25th percentile $16.33, 75th percentile $21.70, 90th percentile $24.01. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. Median annual wage for Receptionists and Information Clerks in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Receptionists and Information Clerks jobs: California 82,470; Texas 78,330; New York 65,010; Florida 63,280; New Jersey 42,060. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Receptionists and Information Clerks (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $49,450; Fairbanks-College, AK $47,260; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $47,130; Napa, CA $46,850; Barnstable Town, MA $45,820; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $45,820; Hanford-Corcoran, CA $45,650; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $45,550. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Receptionists and Information Clerks jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 74,190 (median $44,690); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 35,000 (median $43,280); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 30,540 (median $38,060); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 22,210 (median $38,030); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 21,380 (median $37,060); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 19,850 (median $37,570). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. O*NET 43-4171.00 survey of workers (32 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 49%, Some College Courses 26%, Post-Secondary Certificate 21% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. O*NET description of Receptionists and Information Clerks. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET task list for Receptionists and Information Clerks. O*NET OnLine
  27. O*NET 43-4171.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Clerk Specialist, Front Desk Receptionist, Greeter, Information Assistant (Info Assistant), Medical Receptionist, Member Services Representative (Member Services Rep), Office Assistant, Receptionist. O*NET OnLine
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of receptionists in 2025: Healthcare and social assistance 42%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. BLS Employment Projections: 0.7% of Receptionists and Information Clerks were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Receptionists and Information Clerks: Capital/labor substitution - share decreases as companies use computer software, enhanced with artificial intelligence (AI) technology, to automate data collection, document preparation, and other tasks performed by clerks. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Receptionists and Information Clerks: 5.3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6.1% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  37. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

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. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.