Clerical associate vs receptionist/billing clerk

The differences between clerical associates and receptionist/billing clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a clerical associate and a receptionist/billing clerk. Additionally, a receptionist/billing clerk has an average salary of $31,932, which is higher than the $30,024 average annual salary of a clerical associate.

The top three skills for a clerical associate include patients, data entry and customer service. The most important skills for a receptionist/billing clerk are patients, data entry, and customer service.

Clerical associate vs receptionist/billing clerk overview

	Clerical Associate	Receptionist/Billing Clerk
Yearly salary	$30,024	$31,932
Hourly rate	$14.43	$15.35
Growth rate	-5%	-
Number of jobs	78,648	129,530
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 31%	High School Diploma, 31%
Average age	47	42
Years of experience	2	2

What does a clerical associate do?

A clerical associate is someone who carries out administrative tasks. Clerical associates photocopy, distribute mail, put together mailings, send faxes, respond to emails, and type letters. The associate's order office supplies, convey messages to staff members, handle payroll, and manage conference rooms. They check records for information accuracy and policy and procedure conformity. It is part of their responsibilities to perform projects for patient care facilitation. Also, they provide support to the mental health clinic in terms of patient care and satisfaction survey distribution and collection.

What does a receptionist/billing clerk do?

A receptionist/billing clerk is responsible for performing administrative and clerical duties as needed to maintain a smooth flow of operations for the business. Receptionist/billing clerks process the customers' payment transactions, manage account payables, releasing invoices, and immediately resolve account discrepancies. A receptionist/billing clerk must have excellent communication and analytical skills, responding to customers' inquiries and concerns, escalating high-level complaints to the billing management. They should also maintain records of financial documentation for reference and reconciliation as needed.

Clerical associate vs receptionist/billing clerk salary

Clerical associates and receptionist/billing clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Clerical Associate	Receptionist/Billing Clerk
Average salary	$30,024	$31,932
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $37,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Bakersfield, CA	Santa Maria, CA
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	GBS	Leggett & Platt
Best paying industry	Government	Technology

Differences between clerical associate and receptionist/billing clerk education

There are a few differences between a clerical associate and a receptionist/billing clerk in terms of educational background:

	Clerical Associate	Receptionist/Billing Clerk
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 31%	High School Diploma, 31%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	-

Clerical associate vs receptionist/billing clerk demographics

Here are the differences between clerical associates' and receptionist/billing clerks' demographics:

	Clerical Associate	Receptionist/Billing Clerk
Average age	47	42
Gender ratio	Male, 20.3% Female, 79.7%	Male, 7.2% Female, 92.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 22.0% Asian, 7.7% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 25.0% Asian, 5.7% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between clerical associate and receptionist/billing clerk duties and responsibilities

Clerical associate example responsibilities.

Manage operational FedEx relationship through order fulfillment, shipment tracking, and communication with parties involve in shipment transaction.
Apply ICD-9, CPT and HCPCS codes for outpatient treatments.
Obtain and properly distributes messages using EMR.
Fax radiology reports and make calls regarding abnormal reports.
Coordinate patient radiology exams as well as patient procedures.
Update clinical records associate with patient visits in MYSIS EMR system.

Receptionist/billing clerk example responsibilities.

Assist office management and staff with administrative projects/responsibilities such as managing time-sensitive projects, filing, copying, and collating materials.
Obtain and track all insurance referrals for patients with HMO products.
Coordinate in-processing of all patients, to include accurate insurance information and payments are entered correctly into office computer system.
Move from SNF billing to HMO outpatient billing and keep a large alpha current.
Maintain confidentiality and adherence to HIPAA guidelines.
Develop effective billing strategies for Medicaid recipients according to HIPPA rules and regulations.

Clerical associate vs receptionist/billing clerk skills

Common clerical associate skills

Patients, 23%
Data Entry, 11%
Customer Service, 11%
Phone Calls, 5%
Clerical Functions, 5%
Patient Care, 5%

Common receptionist/billing clerk skills

Patients, 25%
Data Entry, 11%
Customer Service, 9%
Telephone Calls, 7%
Appointment Scheduling, 6%
Front Desk, 5%

Clerical Associate vs. similar jobs

Clerical Associate related careers

Clerical Associate related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Office and Administrative Industry
Clerical Associate
Clerical Associate vs Receptionist/Billing Clerk

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse office and administrative jobs