Front desk receptionist vs front desk representative

The differences between front desk receptionists and front desk representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a front desk receptionist has an average salary of $31,050, which is higher than the $29,224 average annual salary of a front desk representative.

The top three skills for a front desk receptionist include patients, check-in and phone calls. The most important skills for a front desk representative are reservations, customer service, and excellent guest.

Front desk receptionist vs front desk representative overview

	Front Desk Receptionist	Front Desk Representative
Yearly salary	$31,050	$29,224
Hourly rate	$14.93	$14.05
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	82,593	140,332
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 33%	Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age	42	37
Years of experience	2	-

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.

What does a front desk representative do?

A front desk representative is responsible for welcoming guests, processing their reservations, and responding to their inquiries and concerns. Front desk representatives perform various administrative and clerical duties as needed, ensuring customer satisfaction to generate revenues and increase profitability, as well as keeping the company's good reputation for clients' loyalty. They organize and maintain the cleanliness of the front desk area at all times and lead guests to the appropriate department. A front desk representative must have excellent customer service and organizational skills to handle different visiting purposes of the guests.

Front desk receptionist vs front desk representative salary

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

	Front Desk Receptionist	Front Desk Representative
Average salary	$31,050	$29,224
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $39,000	Between $22,000 And $37,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	Southampton, NY
Highest paying state	Alaska	New York
Best paying company	SightMD	Eye Consultants of Atlanta
Best paying industry	Government	Retail

Differences between front desk receptionist and front desk representative education

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

	Front Desk Receptionist	Front Desk Representative
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 33%	Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Front desk receptionist vs front desk representative demographics

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

	Front Desk Receptionist	Front Desk Representative
Average age	42	37
Gender ratio	Male, 15.4% Female, 84.6%	Male, 27.2% Female, 72.8%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 6.6% Hispanic or Latino, 21.2% Asian, 10.0% White, 50.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage	6%	13%

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

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 representative example responsibilities.

Control all guestroom allocations, ensuring that reservations are accurately record and monitor to ensure optimum occupancy and revenue is achieved.
Anticipate sold-out situations and obtain satisfactory alternative accommodations when the property cannot accommodate guests with reservations.
Control all guestroom allocations, ensuring that reservations are accurately record and monitor to ensure optimum occupancy and revenue is achieved.
Enter new and existing student information into MindBody.
Assist customers with setting up classes through MINDBODY.
Provide problem resolution services for guests and act as a professional representative for Simon while following myriad corporate policies and procedures.

Front desk receptionist vs front desk representative skills

Common front desk receptionist skills

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

Common front desk representative skills

Reservations, 25%
Customer Service, 10%
Excellent Guest, 7%
Computer System, 5%
Patients, 5%
Cash Handling, 5%

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Front Desk Receptionist
Front Desk Receptionist vs Front Desk Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

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