Research Summary. The Zippia data team has analyzed a comprehensive set of data from public government resources and thousands of job postings to estimate average salaries for various front desk receptionist roles across the United States in 2026. This research highlights the highest-paying front desk receptionist positions based on their average annual salaries.
Here’s a summary of our findings on the most lucrative types of front desk receptionists:
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Front Desk Administration tops the list as the highest-paid front desk receptionist, boasting an average salary of $39,250 and an average hourly rate of $18.88.
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The second highest-paying position is the dental receptionist, with an average salary of $38,850.
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The average salary for a front desk receptionist is $35,500 annually, translating to an average hourly wage of $17.06.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be challenging, and while salary is a crucial consideration, it’s not the only factor. If you’re aspiring to work as a front desk receptionist, understanding the highest-paying roles can help you navigate your career trajectory effectively.
Here are the top salaries for various types of front desk receptionists:
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Front Desk Administration
Average Salary: $39,250
A front desk administration professional performs essential administrative tasks related to the front desk operations of an organization. This role involves assisting in meetings, managing inventory, and maintaining office supplies. They also coordinate front desk functions while ensuring positive customer interactions, handling phone calls, and managing important documents.
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Dental Receptionist
Average Salary: $38,850
A dental receptionist manages various clerical and administrative tasks to support the operations of a dental office, ensuring patients receive quality care. Responsibilities include scheduling appointments, processing payments, and maintaining patient records.
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Office Receptionist
Average Salary: $37,800
An office receptionist performs a range of administrative duties, including answering calls, greeting visitors, and providing information to clients. This role often requires maintaining security protocols and managing visitor access, alongside various clerical responsibilities.
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Medical Receptionist
Average Salary: $35,900
Medical receptionists are often the first point of contact in healthcare settings, managing patient scheduling and records. They facilitate patient check-ins, handle forms, and ensure that all necessary information is ready for medical appointments.
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Receptionist/Billing Clerk
Average Salary: $35,500
A receptionist/billing clerk oversees administrative tasks that help maintain business operations. This includes processing payments, managing invoices, and addressing customer inquiries.
Below is a comprehensive table presenting the average pay for various front desk receptionist roles, accompanied by an overview of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Front Desk Receptionists
Methodology
Zippia utilizes publicly available data from government sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to formulate its salary estimates.
The data science team also examines job postings and company resources for the latest salary information related to front desk receptionists.
After gathering this data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title for which they are estimating salaries. For further details on our salary methodology, please refer to our detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Front Desk Receptionist Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid front desk receptionist job?
The highest-paid front desk receptionist job is front desk administration. Front Desk Administrations earn an average salary of $39,250, which translates to $18.88 hourly.
A front desk administration professional is responsible for performing administrative duties related to the front desk operations of an organization. This role involves assisting in meetings, maintaining inventory and office supplies, and ensuring positive customer interactions.
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What is a good salary for a front desk receptionist?
A good salary for a front desk receptionist is $35,500 or more. With the average front desk receptionist salary at $35,500, those earning at least this amount are considered to be receiving above-average pay.
However, keep in mind that salaries can vary significantly based on location and experience levels. Researching local salary averages can provide you with a better perspective on your compensation.
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Do Front Desk Receptionist jobs pay well?
Overall, front desk receptionist jobs can be competitive, but the average salary of $35,500 is below the national average of approximately $50,000 per year.
However, many front desk receptionist roles offer high earning potential, particularly for top performers in the industry. Salaries can fluctuate based on experience, industry, and location, so it’s vital to research the going rates and negotiate accordingly.
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Where do front desk receptionists earn the most?
Front Desk Receptionists earn the highest salaries in Washington. In Washington, front desk receptionists have an average annual salary of $41,000, with an average hourly wage of $19.71.
Following Washington, the states with the highest-paid front desk receptionists include Maine, Alaska, and Connecticut, with average salaries of $38,000, $36,000, and $35,000 respectively.
The cities with the highest front desk receptionist salaries are:
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Seattle, WA – $41,715
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Portland, OR – $39,020
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San Francisco, CA – $38,829
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Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
