Appointment clerk vs front desk receptionist

The differences between appointment clerks and front desk receptionists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an appointment clerk and a front desk receptionist. Additionally, an appointment clerk has an average salary of $31,753, which is higher than the $31,050 average annual salary of a front desk receptionist.

The top three skills for an appointment clerk include patients, computer system and primary care. The most important skills for a front desk receptionist are patients, check-in, and phone calls.

Appointment clerk vs front desk receptionist overview

	Appointment Clerk	Front Desk Receptionist
Yearly salary	$31,753	$31,050
Hourly rate	$15.27	$14.93
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	104,260	82,593
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 29%	High School Diploma, 33%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	2	2

Appointment clerk vs front desk receptionist salary

Appointment clerks and front desk receptionists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Appointment Clerk	Front Desk Receptionist
Average salary	$31,753	$31,050
Salary range	Between $22,000 And $43,000	Between $24,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	-	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	SightMD
Best paying industry	-	Government

Differences between appointment clerk and front desk receptionist education

There are a few differences between an appointment clerk and a front desk receptionist in terms of educational background:

	Appointment Clerk	Front Desk Receptionist
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 29%	High School Diploma, 33%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Appointment clerk vs front desk receptionist demographics

Here are the differences between appointment clerks' and front desk receptionists' demographics:

	Appointment Clerk	Front Desk Receptionist
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 14.5% Female, 85.5%	Male, 15.4% Female, 84.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 22.7% Asian, 5.9% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 23.9% Asian, 6.4% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between appointment clerk and front desk receptionist duties and responsibilities

Appointment clerk example responsibilities.

Manage booking and statistical spreadsheets for mammography and cervical cancer screening outreach care projects.
Confirm TRICARE data in CRIS, and update patient's demographics in CHCS.
Schedule patient appointments, prepare medical charts for new patients, maintain organization and ensure confidentiality of medical records.
Use of AS400 software to complete tasks.10.
Adhere to strict HIPPA regulations.
Complete all tasks while complying with HIPPA

Front desk receptionist example responsibilities.

Accomplish computer work using a PMS system; OperaXpress.
Collect and distribute mail and packages, prepare FedEx shipments and manage online postage machine.
Use EMR software to manage patient records and files; reinforce and uphold patient confidentiality as required by HIPAA and clinic
Acquire knowledge of ICD-9 and CPT codes and achieve up-to-date knowledge of medical record practices, standards, and regulations.
Manage patients records by keeping all medical history, insurance and personal information update and verify abiding by HIPAA protocols.
Assist office management and staff with administrative projects/responsibilities such as managing time-sensitive projects, filing, copying, and collating materials.

Appointment clerk vs front desk receptionist skills

Common appointment clerk skills

Patients, 24%
Computer System, 7%
Primary Care, 6%
Medical Care, 5%
Phone Calls, 5%
Booking, 5%

Common front desk receptionist skills

Patients, 23%
Check-In, 12%
Phone Calls, 10%
Reservations, 10%
Customer Service, 10%
Appointment Scheduling, 5%

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Appointment Clerk
Appointment Clerk vs Front Desk Receptionist

Updated January 8, 2025

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