Medical receptionist vs medical office administrator

The differences between medical receptionists and medical office administrators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a medical receptionist and a medical office administrator. Additionally, a medical office administrator has an average salary of $34,252, which is higher than the $31,960 average annual salary of a medical receptionist.

The top three skills for a medical receptionist include patients, customer service and check-in. The most important skills for a medical office administrator are patients, patient care, and customer service.

Medical receptionist vs medical office administrator overview

	Medical Receptionist	Medical Office Administrator
Yearly salary	$31,960	$34,252
Hourly rate	$15.37	$16.47
Growth rate	-8%	-8%
Number of jobs	118,048	179,503
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 28%	Bachelor's Degree, 31%
Average age	49	49
Years of experience	2	2

What does a medical receptionist do?

Medical receptionists are responsible for manning the front desk at a medical facility such as a clinic or a hospital. They manage schedules and appointments in the clinic or hospital. They help patients to their respective appointments. They also assist doctors, nurses, and other medical practitioners by ensuring that the schedule for the day is being followed. They are also in charge of assisting visitors by directing them wherever they would need to go. Medical receptionists also answer inquiries by patients or visitors. Medical knowledge, great customer service skills, and a friendly attitude are needed.

What does a medical office administrator do?

A medical office administrator is responsible for performing administrative and clerical duties within a health care institution, supplying physicians and medical professionals with patients' information, and coordinating with insurance companies. Medical office administrators handle the information and data management system to ensure the accuracy of patients' details, medical history, and treatment plans. They also schedule doctor appointments and cancellations, as well as monitoring the inventory of medical supplies. A medical office administrator submits payment reports, respond to patients' inquiries and concerns, and process billing disputes.

Medical receptionist vs medical office administrator salary

Medical receptionists and medical office administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Medical Receptionist	Medical Office Administrator
Average salary	$31,960	$34,252
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $38,000	Between $27,000 And $41,000
Highest paying City	Portland, ME	Anchorage, AK
Highest paying state	Maine	Alaska
Best paying company	CENTER FOR SIGHT	University of California, Berkeley
Best paying industry	Health Care	Health Care

Differences between medical receptionist and medical office administrator education

There are a few differences between a medical receptionist and a medical office administrator in terms of educational background:

	Medical Receptionist	Medical Office Administrator
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 28%	Bachelor's Degree, 31%
Most common major	Health Care Administration	Health Care Administration
Most common college	-	-

Medical receptionist vs medical office administrator demographics

Here are the differences between medical receptionists' and medical office administrators' demographics:

	Medical Receptionist	Medical Office Administrator
Average age	49	49
Gender ratio	Male, 5.2% Female, 94.8%	Male, 9.4% Female, 90.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 3.8% White, 70.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 3.8% White, 70.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between medical receptionist and medical office administrator duties and responsibilities

Medical receptionist example responsibilities.

Conduct analysis to address long wait times which lead to faster triage, shorter wait times.
Evaluate all EOB's to insure accurate payment is received and when necessary will file appeals to achieve optimal payments.
Greet and check-in patients, including obtaining accurate patient demographic information, patient registration, and checking insurance eligibility.
Learned and operate chiropractic equipment (decompression; Leander) & x-rays; enabling Dr to have more time for patients.
Resolve concerns of terminally ill patients with compassion and professionalism.
Identify patients' specific scheduling requirements while demonstrating care and compassion via telephone.

Medical office administrator example responsibilities.

Re-Evaluat & improve policy manual, develop standards for HIPPA, OSHA, manage care, billing and medical compliance.
Facilitate client relationships and manage surgery schedules, financial consultations, follow up care and ongoing maintenance.
Used knowledge of medical procedures and customer service, record medical histories and schedule patients for hospitalization and other procedures.
Scan new information such as daily progress notes, physical exams, labs and diagnostic testing into EMR.
Advise and counsel patient regarding food, fluid, medicine intake and restrictions prior to surgery including drop regime.
Organize patient charts and loose reports, as well as paper work from daily operations for scanning into EMR system.

Medical receptionist vs medical office administrator skills

Common medical receptionist skills

Patients, 30%
Customer Service, 9%
Check-In, 6%
Medical Terminology, 6%
Patient Care, 4%
Front Desk, 4%

Common medical office administrator skills

Patients, 21%
Patient Care, 10%
Customer Service, 8%
Insurance Verification, 5%
Phone Calls, 5%
Appointment Scheduling, 4%

Medical Receptionist vs. similar jobs

Medical Receptionist related careers

Medical Receptionist related jobs

Medical Receptionist jobs by location

Zippia Careers
Office and Administrative Industry
Medical Receptionist
Medical Receptionist vs Medical Office Administrator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse office and administrative jobs