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Customer assistant vs receptionist/customer service

The differences between customer assistants and receptionist/customer services can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a customer assistant and a receptionist/customer service. Additionally, a customer assistant has an average salary of $31,331, which is higher than the $30,604 average annual salary of a receptionist/customer service.

The top three skills for a customer assistant include reservations, customer assistance and customer service. The most important skills for a receptionist/customer service are customer service, phone calls, and data entry.

Customer assistant vs receptionist/customer service overview

Customer AssistantReceptionist/Customer Service
Yearly salary$31,331$30,604
Hourly rate$15.06$14.71
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs177,008216,587
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%High School Diploma, 35%
Average age4040
Years of experience1212

What does a customer assistant do?

A customer assistant is responsible for providing the best customer service, handling customer inquiries, managing complaints, and processing requests depending on the clients' needs. Customer assistants must have exceptional communication skills and the knowledge of the goods and services the company offers to accommodate customers on their concerns. A customer assistant should also have a good grasp on marketing processes to sell products, take orders, and develop sales pitches to potential customers to drive revenues, increase profitability, and maintain good customer feedback.

What does a receptionist/customer service do?

Receptionists or customer service professionals are considered as the first contact point of the clients. They usually greet and welcome guests visiting an office or organization. These are employees who serve as administrative or office support. They take responsibility for digital communication. It is their job to coordinate the front desk activities such as redirecting phone calls and distributing correspondence. They should be equipped with skills like attention to detail, dependability, and communication skills.

Customer assistant vs receptionist/customer service salary

Customer assistants and receptionist/customer services have different pay scales, as shown below.

Customer AssistantReceptionist/Customer Service
Average salary$31,331$30,604
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $38,000Between $25,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCBillerica, MA
Highest paying stateConnecticutMinnesota
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyUline
Best paying industryFinanceManufacturing

Differences between customer assistant and receptionist/customer service education

There are a few differences between a customer assistant and a receptionist/customer service in terms of educational background:

Customer AssistantReceptionist/Customer Service
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%High School Diploma, 35%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Customer assistant vs receptionist/customer service demographics

Here are the differences between customer assistants' and receptionist/customer services' demographics:

Customer AssistantReceptionist/Customer Service
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 43.3% Female, 56.7%Male, 8.0% Female, 92.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 21.2% Asian, 7.2% White, 53.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 25.4% Asian, 6.1% White, 51.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between customer assistant and receptionist/customer service duties and responsibilities

Customer assistant example responsibilities.

  • Interact extensively with customers to achieve timely issue resolution while maintaining high standards for dock organization and cleanliness.
  • Take and punch orders into the POS system and provide customers with information on payments.
  • Count money in POS before shift to ensure amounts are correct and there is adequate change.
  • Provide and present research findings via conference calls, PowerPoint presentations, and round table meetings.
  • Help customers troubleshoot internet connection problems, and dispatch technicians when necessary.
  • Work directly with warehouse locations to troubleshoot specific issues in delivery execution.
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Receptionist/customer service example responsibilities.

  • Assist office management and staff with administrative projects/responsibilities such as managing time-sensitive projects, filing, copying, and collating materials.
  • Assist office management and staff with administrative projects/responsibilities such as managing time-sensitive projects, filing, copying, and collating materials.
  • Bill and collect from private pay, Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance companies.
  • Doctor authorization for treatments, understanding of Medicare and Medicaid, prior authorizations (if need).
  • Resolve problems with the buyers concerning invoices that do not match in the AS400 system.
  • Receive and apply checks into AS400 accounting database and scan checks into bank, on a daily basis.
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Customer assistant vs receptionist/customer service skills

Common customer assistant skills
  • Reservations, 25%
  • Customer Assistance, 21%
  • Customer Service, 17%
  • Sales Floor, 8%
  • Customer Support, 3%
  • Product Knowledge, 3%
Common receptionist/customer service skills
  • Customer Service, 16%
  • Phone Calls, 15%
  • Data Entry, 14%
  • Telephone Calls, 8%
  • Front Desk, 8%
  • Scheduling Appointments, 8%

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