Front desk administration vs receptionist

The differences between front desk administrations and receptionists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a front desk administration, becoming a receptionist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a front desk administration has an average salary of $34,479, which is higher than the $30,571 average annual salary of a receptionist.

The top three skills for a front desk administration include patients, phone calls and customer service. The most important skills for a receptionist are patients, phone calls, and customer service.

Front desk administration vs receptionist overview

	Front Desk Administration	Receptionist
Yearly salary	$34,479	$30,571
Hourly rate	$16.58	$14.70
Growth rate	-5%	-
Number of jobs	67,462	65,671
Job satisfaction	-	3
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 45%	High School Diploma, 33%
Average age	47	42
Years of experience	6	2

What does a front desk administration do?

A front desk administration professional is responsible for performing administrative duties related to the front desk reception of an organization. This professional must assist in conferences and meetings as well as maintain inventory and costs for building and office supplies. The administration must coordinate front desk operations and maintain customer relationships by interacting with them in a professional and courteous manner. This professional must also handle phone calls and important documents by scanning and placing them in their designated files.

What does a receptionist do?

Receptionists are employees assigned at the entrances or lobbies of offices. They welcome guests, check identification, issue visitor badges, attend to questions or inquiries, and direct guests to where they are supposed to go. They also receive general mail or packages, answer calls, and manage schedules. Receptionists perform various clerical or administrative functions as assigned by their supervisors. They should have good client relations skills.

Front desk administration vs receptionist salary

Front desk administrations and receptionists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Front Desk Administration	Receptionist
Average salary	$34,479	$30,571
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $45,000	Between $24,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	Washington	Massachusetts
Best paying company	Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory	Gensler
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Finance

Differences between front desk administration and receptionist education

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

	Front Desk Administration	Receptionist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 45%	High School Diploma, 33%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	California State University - Bakersfield	-

Front desk administration vs receptionist demographics

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

	Front Desk Administration	Receptionist
Average age	47	42
Gender ratio	Male, 15.0% Female, 85.0%	Male, 8.4% Female, 91.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 5.2% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 23.5% Asian, 6.1% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	8%	6%

Differences between front desk administration and receptionist duties and responsibilities

Front desk administration example 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.
Assist patients in acquiring Medicaid coverage.
Maintain patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information.

Receptionist example responsibilities.

Manage invoicing with QuickBooks, taking customer calls and helping with any issues, parts and equipment delivery/pickup/ordering.
Manage multiple employee/resident databases utilizing an EMR system.
Verify insurance information and manage medical records while ensuring confidentiality according to HIPAA requirements.
Manage desk operations for the YMCA, organizing and documenting members' payments and collating operational documents
Assist office management and staff with administrative projects/responsibilities such as managing time-sensitive projects, filing, copying, and collating materials.
Bill patients for medical services provide by various doctors using ICD-9 and CPT-4 coding.

Front desk administration vs receptionist skills

Common front desk administration skills

Patients, 18%
Phone Calls, 9%
Customer Service, 9%
Front Desk Operations, 8%
Data Entry, 7%
Telephone Calls, 4%

Common receptionist skills

Patients, 17%
Phone Calls, 14%
Customer Service, 9%
Data Entry, 9%
Telephone Calls, 8%
Front Desk, 8%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Front Desk Administration
Front Desk Administration vs Receptionist

Updated January 8, 2025

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