Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of receptionists that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of receptionists:
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Support Clerk is the highest-paid type of receptionist with an average salary of $35,159 and an average hourly rate of $16.90.
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The second highest-paying type of receptionist is medical billing, receptionist, with an average salary of $34,622.
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The average receptionist salary is $30,571 per year, and the average hourly pay is $14.70.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as a receptionist, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of receptionists are so that you can plan your career progression.
Here are the top salaries for different types of receptionists:
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Support Clerk
Average Salary: $35,159
A support clerk is primarily in charge of performing administrative support tasks in an office, making the daily workflow easier. Their responsibilities typically include preparing and processing documentation, answering and forwarding calls, handling correspondence, disseminating and organizing files, and running errands as needed. They may also update databases, maintaining records of all transactions. Furthermore, as a support clerk, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff, coordinating to ensure efficient and smooth workplace operations.
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Medical Billing, Receptionist
Average Salary: $34,622
A medical billing receptionist serves as the main point of contact in a hospital. Their responsibilities revolve around greeting patients and attending to their needs, gathering and maintaining records, and checking-in patients. They also have administrative support tasks such as answering calls and responding to inquiries, arranging appointments and schedules, producing reports, keeping documentation, and handling billing processes, including insurance. Moreover, a medical billing receptionist must be alert and proactive as the conditions in a hospital can be very unpredictable.
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Front Desk Administration
Average Salary: $34,479
A front desk administration professional is responsible for performing administrative duties related to the front desk reception of an organization. This professional must assist in conferences and meetings as well as maintain inventory and costs for building and office supplies. The administration must coordinate front desk operations and maintain customer relationships by interacting with them in a professional and courteous manner. This professional must also handle phone calls and important documents by scanning and placing them in their designated files.
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Dental Receptionist
Average Salary: $34,359
A dental receptionist is responsible for performing administrative and clerical duties to support dental office operations and ensure that the patients receive the highest quality care services. Dental receptionists manage and schedule the patients’ appointments, determine the availability of the dentist, process dental reports and service payments, and ensure the adequacy of dental inventories. They also organize the database system by updating patients’ information, sending referrals to medical specialists, pulling-up patient charts, and responding to the patients’ dental inquiries and concerns.
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Office Receptionist
Average Salary: $33,554
An office receptionist, or administrative assistant, performs various administrative tasks for an organization. These tasks may include answering phone calls, providing the public and customers with information, and warmly welcoming, greeting, and directing visitors or guests accordingly. Additionally, an office receptionist is responsible for maintaining security by issuing visitor badges, monitoring logbooks, and following procedures. Administrative assistants are also responsible for preparing and processing travel vouchers and other documents. Some employers prefer someone with a college or bachelor’s degree, telephone skills, and excellent communication skills.
Below is a full table of the average pay for various receptionist that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Receptionists
Methodology
Zippia uses publicly published information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.
Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for receptionists.
Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Receptionist Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid receptionist job?
The highest-paid receptionist job is a support clerk. Support Clerks earn an average salary of $35,159, which is $ 16.90 hourly.
A support clerk is primarily in charge of performing administrative support tasks in an office, making the daily workflow easier. Their responsibilities typically include preparing and processing documentation, answering and forwarding calls, handling correspondence, disseminating and organizing files, and running errands as needed. They may also update databases, maintaining records of all transactions. Furthermore, as a support clerk, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff, coordinating to ensure efficient and smooth workplace operations.
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What is a good salary for a receptionist?
A good salary for a receptionist is $30,571 or more. The average receptionist salary is $30,571, so those making at least $30,571 are earning above-average paychecks.
Keep in mind, however, that the average receptionist salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.
In addition, if you’re just starting your career as a receptionist, the average entry level salary is $24,625, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $30,571 average, as this includes all receptionists of all skill and experience levels.
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Do Receptionist jobs pay well?
No, receptionist jobs don’t pay well. As in any industry, some receptionist jobs pay better than others, but the average receptionist salary of $30,571 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
In addition to this, many receptionist jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of receptionists earning $41,392 a year on average.
Receptionists’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as a receptionist. Do your research on the going rate for a receptionist in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.
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Where do receptionists get paid the most?
Receptionists get paid the most in Washington. In Washington, receptionists earn an average annual salary of $33,951 and an average hourly wage of $16.32.
Following WA, the states with the highest-paid receptionists are Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts, with average annual salaries of $33,702, $33,807, and $34,278 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid receptionist salaries are:
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Washington, DC – $34,708
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Boston, MA – $34,245
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San Francisco, CA – $34,223
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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.
