How To Become A Front Desk Administration: What It Is and Career Path

What is a front desk administration and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Anne McConnell Ph.D.

Front desk administrators are often the front line for a business and are critical for day-to-day operations. Front desk administrators typically work in the front desk/reception area of an organization and interface with customers and the public on a day-to-day basis. A front desk administrator's responsibilities include, but are not limited to, greeting guests, data entry, booking appointments, answering customer calls and queries, managing schedules, handling business correspondence, assisting in office supply maintenance and inventory, managing insurance documents, and offering office support to management and staff.

Front desk administrators are masters at multi-tasking, and have strong computer, interpersonal, and communication skills. They are expected to maintain a professional image by interacting with customers and assisting in resolution of their issues in a cordial and courteous manner.

An advanced degree is not required for a position as a front desk administrator. Many front desk administrators can make up to $31,000 per year, and the projected job growth in the US is 14% by 2028.

What general advice would you give to a front desk administration?

Anne McConnell Ph.D.

Professor, West Virginia State University

I would say it's important to be very attentive to the way you communicate with your employers, managers, and co-workers. Even sending an e-mail can be an opportunity to demonstrate your professionalism and communication skills. Some people think that no one knows how to write anymore, or how to communicate in a professional way. I don't think that's true. But we don't always think about how our writing can be a tool to communicate our competence and seriousness. If you know how to write and communicate professionally-which college grads do-then make sure to demonstrate that in the workplace.

ScoreFront Desk AdministrationUS Average

Salary

2.7

Avg. Salary $34,479

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.0

Growth rate -5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.64%

Asian 5.23%

Black or African American 10.30%

Hispanic or Latino 18.70%

Unknown 4.72%

White 60.41%

Gender

female 85.04%

male 14.96%

Age - 48

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 48

Stress level

8.0

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.2

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a front desk administration

Explore front desk administration education requirements

Most common front desk administration degrees

Bachelor's

44.8 %

Associate

22.4 %

High School Diploma

17.3 %

Start to develop specific front desk administration skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	18.46%
Phone Calls	9.06%
Customer Service	8.66%
Front Desk Operations	7.82%
Data Entry	7.36%

Complete relevant front desk administration training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New front desk administrations learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a front desk administration based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real front desk administration resumes.

Research front desk administration duties and responsibilities

Use EMR software to manage patient records and files; reinforce and uphold patient confidentiality.
Used EMR software to manage patient records and files; reinforce and uphold patient confidentiality as required by HIPAA and clinic.
Access and dispense medical records in compliance with HIPPA regulations.
Process paperwork for patient's file in accordance with HIPPA laws.

Prepare your front desk administration resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your front desk administration resume.

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