Front desk receptionist vs receptionist/billing clerk

The differences between front desk receptionists and receptionist/billing clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a front desk receptionist and a receptionist/billing clerk. Additionally, a receptionist/billing clerk has an average salary of $31,932, which is higher than the $31,050 average annual salary of a front desk receptionist.

The top three skills for a front desk receptionist include patients, check-in and phone calls. The most important skills for a receptionist/billing clerk are patients, data entry, and customer service.

Front desk receptionist vs receptionist/billing clerk overview

	Front Desk Receptionist	Receptionist/Billing Clerk
Yearly salary	$31,050	$31,932
Hourly rate	$14.93	$15.35
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	82,593	129,530
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 33%	High School Diploma, 31%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	2	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 receptionist/billing clerk do?

A receptionist/billing clerk is responsible for performing administrative and clerical duties as needed to maintain a smooth flow of operations for the business. Receptionist/billing clerks process the customers' payment transactions, manage account payables, releasing invoices, and immediately resolve account discrepancies. A receptionist/billing clerk must have excellent communication and analytical skills, responding to customers' inquiries and concerns, escalating high-level complaints to the billing management. They should also maintain records of financial documentation for reference and reconciliation as needed.

Front desk receptionist vs receptionist/billing clerk salary

Front desk receptionists and receptionist/billing clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Front Desk Receptionist	Receptionist/Billing Clerk
Average salary	$31,050	$31,932
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $39,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	Santa Maria, CA
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	SightMD	Leggett & Platt
Best paying industry	Government	Technology

Differences between front desk receptionist and receptionist/billing clerk education

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

	Front Desk Receptionist	Receptionist/Billing Clerk
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 33%	High School Diploma, 31%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Front desk receptionist vs receptionist/billing clerk demographics

Here are the differences between front desk receptionists' and receptionist/billing clerks' demographics:

	Front Desk Receptionist	Receptionist/Billing Clerk
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 15.4% Female, 84.6%	Male, 7.2% Female, 92.8%
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, 10.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 25.0% Asian, 5.7% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between front desk receptionist and receptionist/billing clerk 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.

Receptionist/billing clerk example responsibilities.

Assist office management and staff with administrative projects/responsibilities such as managing time-sensitive projects, filing, copying, and collating materials.
Obtain and track all insurance referrals for patients with HMO products.
Coordinate in-processing of all patients, to include accurate insurance information and payments are entered correctly into office computer system.
Move from SNF billing to HMO outpatient billing and keep a large alpha current.
Maintain confidentiality and adherence to HIPAA guidelines.
Develop effective billing strategies for Medicaid recipients according to HIPPA rules and regulations.

Front desk receptionist vs receptionist/billing clerk skills

Common front desk receptionist skills

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

Common receptionist/billing clerk skills

Patients, 25%
Data Entry, 11%
Customer Service, 9%
Telephone Calls, 7%
Appointment Scheduling, 6%
Front Desk, 5%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Front Desk Receptionist
Front Desk Receptionist vs Receptionist/Billing Clerk

Updated January 8, 2025

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