Desk receptionist vs switchboard operator, receptionist

The differences between desk receptionists and switchboard operators, receptionist can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a desk receptionist and a switchboard operator, receptionist. Additionally, a desk receptionist has an average salary of $32,434, which is higher than the $25,889 average annual salary of a switchboard operator, receptionist.

The top three skills for a desk receptionist include scheduling appointments, customer service and front desk. The most important skills for a switchboard operator, receptionist are greeting visitors, data entry, and customer service.

Desk receptionist vs switchboard operator, receptionist overview

	Desk Receptionist	Switchboard Operator, Receptionist
Yearly salary	$32,434	$25,889
Hourly rate	$15.59	$12.45
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	41,301	95,946
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 66%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	42	53
Years of experience	2	2

Desk receptionist vs switchboard operator, receptionist salary

Desk receptionists and switchboard operators, receptionist have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Desk Receptionist	Switchboard Operator, Receptionist
Average salary	$32,434	$25,889
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $41,000	Between $19,000 And $33,000
Highest paying City	-	Spokane Valley, WA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Best paying industry	-	Finance

Differences between desk receptionist and switchboard operator, receptionist education

There are a few differences between a desk receptionist and a switchboard operator, receptionist in terms of educational background:

	Desk Receptionist	Switchboard Operator, Receptionist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 66%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Desk receptionist vs switchboard operator, receptionist demographics

Here are the differences between desk receptionists' and switchboard operators, receptionist' demographics:

	Desk Receptionist	Switchboard Operator, Receptionist
Average age	42	53
Gender ratio	Male, 25.5% Female, 74.5%	Male, 5.8% Female, 94.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 6.7% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 14.6% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 3.8% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	19%

Differences between desk receptionist and switchboard operator, receptionist duties and responsibilities

Desk receptionist 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.
Document and identify doctors' availability and schedule appointments utilizing AVImark scheduling software.

Switchboard operator, receptionist example responsibilities.

Assist office management and staff with administrative projects/responsibilities such as managing time-sensitive projects, filing, copying, and collating materials.
Operate an antique PBX switchboard, in charge of petty cash and responsible for receipt of incoming funds.
Operate PBX switchboard and develop procedure manuals to ensure consistency.
Assist office management and staff with administrative projects/responsibilities such as managing time-sensitive projects, filing, copying, and collating materials.
Answer switchboard calls; utilizing effective communication and listening skills.
Serve as face-of- company while receiving in-person visitors and directing incoming calls via switchboard.

Desk receptionist vs switchboard operator, receptionist skills

Common desk receptionist skills

Scheduling Appointments, 24%
Customer Service, 21%
Front Desk, 15%
Check-In, 10%
Emergency Situations, 4%
Office Equipment, 4%

Common switchboard operator, receptionist skills

Greeting Visitors, 16%
Data Entry, 13%
Customer Service, 12%
Front Desk, 7%
Scheduling Appointments, 5%
Telephone Calls, 4%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Desk Receptionist
Desk Receptionist vs Switchboard Operator, Receptionist

Updated January 8, 2025

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