Research Summary. The Zippia data science team has conducted thorough research to provide updated insights on front desk associate salaries across the United States. Here are the key findings:
-
New York boasts the highest front desk associate salary at $39,500
-
Mississippi has the lowest front desk associate salary at $21,500
-
The national average salary for front desk associates is $30,000
-
The national hourly pay for front desk associates is $14.50
For detailed methodology, you can read more on the specific methodology.
Background
A recent survey indicates that salary remains the most critical factor for job seekers, especially for positions like front desk associates. Understanding salary expectations in your area is vital, and while local differences can exist, state averages provide a useful benchmark.
As of 2026, New York continues to lead in front desk associate salaries, reflecting the higher cost of living and demand for skilled workers in urban areas.
Here’s a snapshot of the top ten states for front desk associate salaries:
Let’s examine the full ranking of all states.
Highest-Paid Front Desk Associates By State
| Rank | State | Average Front Desk Associate Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $39,500 | $30,000 | $50,000 |
| 2 | California | $36,000 | $27,000 | $48,000 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $35,750 | $28,000 | $46,000 |
| 4 | Hawaii | $34,500 | $29,000 | $42,000 |
| 5 | Maine | $33,500 | $26,000 | $41,000 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $32,500 | $25,000 | $40,000 |
| 7 | Vermont | $31,500 | $24,000 | $39,000 |
| 8 | Nevada | $31,000 | $23,000 | $38,000 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $30,500 | $22,000 | $37,000 |
| 10 | Washington | $30,000 | $21,000 | $36,000 |
| 11 | Delaware | $29,500 | $20,000 | $35,000 |
| 12 | New Hampshire | $29,000 | $20,000 | $34,000 |
| 13 | Colorado | $28,500 | $19,000 | $33,000 |
| 14 | North Dakota | $27,500 | $18,000 | $31,000 |
| 15 | Maryland | $27,500 | $18,000 | $31,000 |
| 16 | New Jersey | $27,000 | $18,000 | $30,000 |
| 17 | West Virginia | $26,500 | $18,000 | $30,000 |
| 18 | Arizona | $25,500 | $17,000 | $29,000 |
| 19 | Oregon | $24,500 | $16,000 | $28,000 |
| 20 | Minnesota | $24,000 | $16,000 | $27,000 |
| 21 | Michigan | $23,500 | $16,000 | $27,000 |
| 22 | Pennsylvania | $23,000 | $15,000 | $26,000 |
| 23 | Wisconsin | $23,000 | $15,000 | $26,000 |
| 24 | Illinois | $22,500 | $15,000 | $25,000 |
| 25 | South Dakota | $22,500 | $15,000 | $25,000 |
| 26 | Virginia | $22,000 | $15,000 | $24,000 |
| 27 | Indiana | $22,000 | $15,000 | $24,000 |
| 28 | Alaska | $21,500 | $15,000 | $23,000 |
| 29 | Utah | $21,500 | $14,000 | $23,000 |
| 30 | Ohio | $21,000 | $14,000 | $23,000 |
| 31 | Missouri | $20,500 | $14,000 | $22,000 |
| 32 | Iowa | $20,500 | $14,000 | $22,000 |
| 33 | Montana | $20,000 | $13,000 | $22,000 |
| 34 | Idaho | $19,500 | $13,000 | $21,000 |
| 35 | New Mexico | $19,500 | $13,000 | $21,000 |
| 36 | Nebraska | $19,000 | $13,000 | $20,000 |
| 37 | Texas | $18,500 | $12,000 | $20,000 |
| 38 | Tennessee | $18,500 | $12,000 | $20,000 |
| 39 | Florida | $18,000 | $11,000 | $19,000 |
| 40 | Louisiana | $17,500 | $11,000 | $18,000 |
| 41 | Wyoming | $17,000 | $11,000 | $18,000 |
| 42 | Kansas | $16,500 | $10,000 | $18,000 |
| 43 | North Carolina | $16,500 | $10,000 | $18,000 |
| 44 | Arkansas | $16,000 | $10,000 | $18,000 |
| 45 | Kentucky | $15,500 | $10,000 | $17,000 |
| 46 | Georgia | $15,000 | $10,000 | $17,000 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $14,500 | $9,000 | $16,000 |
| 48 | South Carolina | $14,000 | $9,000 | $16,000 |
| 49 | Alabama | $13,500 | $9,000 | $15,000 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $12,500 | $8,000 | $14,000 |
Methodology: Front Desk Associate Salary By State
To better understand front desk associate pay by state, Zippia has aggregated data across various channels, including the BLS, FLC, and OPM. This data is supplemented with actual salaries from job postings. The team then calculates a weighted average to create an accurate representation of front desk associate salaries by state.
We ranked every state based on the average annual salary of front desk associates, with the highest salary ranking at the top.
Front Desk Associate Salary By State FAQs
-
What is the highest-paid state for front desk associates?
The highest-paid state for front desk associates is New York with an average salary of $39,500 per year.
-
What city pays front desk associates the most?
New York, NY pays front desk associates the most with an average salary of $39,500 per year.
-
What is the worst state for front desk associates?
The worst state for front desk associates is Mississippi with an average salary of $12,500 per year.
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.
