Front desk receptionist vs receptionist/customer service

The differences between front desk receptionists and receptionist/customer services can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a front desk receptionist, becoming a receptionist/customer service takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a front desk receptionist has an average salary of $31,050, which is higher than the $30,604 average annual salary of a receptionist/customer service.

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

Front desk receptionist vs receptionist/customer service overview

	Front Desk Receptionist	Receptionist/Customer Service
Yearly salary	$31,050	$30,604
Hourly rate	$14.93	$14.71
Growth rate	-	-4%
Number of jobs	82,593	216,587
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 33%	High School Diploma, 35%
Average age	42	40
Years of experience	2	12

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/customer service do?

Receptionists or customer service professionals are considered as the first contact point of the clients. They usually greet and welcome guests visiting an office or organization. These are employees who serve as administrative or office support. They take responsibility for digital communication. It is their job to coordinate the front desk activities such as redirecting phone calls and distributing correspondence. They should be equipped with skills like attention to detail, dependability, and communication skills.

Front desk receptionist vs receptionist/customer service salary

Front desk receptionists and receptionist/customer services have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Front Desk Receptionist	Receptionist/Customer Service
Average salary	$31,050	$30,604
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $39,000	Between $25,000 And $37,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	Billerica, MA
Highest paying state	Alaska	Minnesota
Best paying company	SightMD	Uline
Best paying industry	Government	Manufacturing

Differences between front desk receptionist and receptionist/customer service education

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

	Front Desk Receptionist	Receptionist/Customer Service
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 33%	High School Diploma, 35%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Front desk receptionist vs receptionist/customer service demographics

Here are the differences between front desk receptionists' and receptionist/customer services' demographics:

	Front Desk Receptionist	Receptionist/Customer Service
Average age	42	40
Gender ratio	Male, 15.4% Female, 84.6%	Male, 8.0% Female, 92.0%
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, 10.7% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 25.4% Asian, 6.1% White, 51.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	6%	7%

Differences between front desk receptionist and receptionist/customer service 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/customer service example responsibilities.

Assist office management and staff with administrative projects/responsibilities such as managing time-sensitive projects, filing, copying, and collating materials.
Assist office management and staff with administrative projects/responsibilities such as managing time-sensitive projects, filing, copying, and collating materials.
Bill and collect from private pay, Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance companies.
Doctor authorization for treatments, understanding of Medicare and Medicaid, prior authorizations (if need).
Resolve problems with the buyers concerning invoices that do not match in the AS400 system.
Receive and apply checks into AS400 accounting database and scan checks into bank, on a daily basis.

Front desk receptionist vs receptionist/customer service skills

Common front desk receptionist skills

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

Common receptionist/customer service skills

Customer Service, 16%
Phone Calls, 15%
Data Entry, 14%
Telephone Calls, 8%
Front Desk, 8%
Scheduling Appointments, 8%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Front Desk Receptionist
Front Desk Receptionist vs Receptionist/Customer Service

Updated January 8, 2025

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