Front desk host vs front desk receptionist

The differences between front desk hosts and front desk receptionists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a front desk host has an average salary of $31,080, which is higher than the $31,050 average annual salary of a front desk receptionist.

The top three skills for a front desk host include front desk, cleanliness and greeting guests. The most important skills for a front desk receptionist are patients, check-in, and phone calls.

Front desk host vs front desk receptionist overview

	Front Desk Host	Front Desk Receptionist
Yearly salary	$31,080	$31,050
Hourly rate	$14.94	$14.93
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	69,194	82,593
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 47%	High School Diploma, 33%
Average age	37	42
Years of experience	-	2

What does a front desk host do?

The front desk host is responsible for welcoming guests upon arrival. As the host, you will be required to oversee the operation of the front office. You'll manage the shifts and generally provide administrative support to hotel management. You will greet guests with enthusiasm and in a welcoming manner, seat customers, and sometimes take orders. A front desk host takes actions to correct problems, answer questions, interact with guests professionally, and complete customer transactions swiftly and with efficiency.

What does a front desk receptionist do?

Front desk receptionists are usually the first contact of clients or visitors in an office or building. They are responsible for welcoming and receiving guests, documenting guests' arrival and updating the visitor logbook, informing hosts and other involved employees that the guests have arrived, and directing the guests to where they should go next. They also man telephone lines, schedule appointments, receive packages or mails, and answer office visitors' questions. Front desk receptionists are expected to be personable, knowledgeable on office-related activities, and familiar with everyone.

Front desk host vs front desk receptionist salary

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

	Front Desk Host	Front Desk Receptionist
Average salary	$31,080	$31,050
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $37,000	Between $24,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	-	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	SightMD
Best paying industry	-	Government

Differences between front desk host and front desk receptionist education

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

	Front Desk Host	Front Desk Receptionist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 47%	High School Diploma, 33%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Front desk host vs front desk receptionist demographics

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

	Front Desk Host	Front Desk Receptionist
Average age	37	42
Gender ratio	Male, 42.1% Female, 57.9%	Male, 15.4% Female, 84.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 22.5% Asian, 11.0% White, 49.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%	Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 23.9% Asian, 6.4% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	13%	6%

Differences between front desk host and front desk receptionist duties and responsibilities

Front desk host example responsibilities.

Manage patients records by keeping all medical history, insurance and personal information update and verify abiding by HIPAA protocols.
Skil with scanners and cash registers, particularly POS machines.
Review arrivals, noting special requests and blocking rooms as necessary for VIP members and group check-ins.
Cashier, operate POS system, fax, handle multiple phone lines, and transfer calls to appropriate division.
Serve as resource for guests: make reservations and answer any questions in person, over the phone or via e-mail.
Coordinate all daily incoming calls and assist customers with reservations and room location.

Front desk receptionist example responsibilities.

Accomplish computer work using a PMS system; OperaXpress.
Collect and distribute mail and packages, prepare FedEx shipments and manage online postage machine.
Use EMR software to manage patient records and files; reinforce and uphold patient confidentiality as required by HIPAA and clinic
Acquire knowledge of ICD-9 and CPT codes and achieve up-to-date knowledge of medical record practices, standards, and regulations.
Manage patients records by keeping all medical history, insurance and personal information update and verify abiding by HIPAA protocols.
Assist office management and staff with administrative projects/responsibilities such as managing time-sensitive projects, filing, copying, and collating materials.

Front desk host vs front desk receptionist skills

Common front desk host skills

Front Desk, 32%
Cleanliness, 17%
Greeting Guests, 12%
Hotel Services, 7%
Front Door, 7%
Merchandise Sales, 6%

Common front desk receptionist skills

Patients, 23%
Check-In, 12%
Phone Calls, 10%
Reservations, 10%
Customer Service, 10%
Appointment Scheduling, 5%

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Front Desk Host vs Front Desk Receptionist

Updated January 8, 2025

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