How To Become An Office Administrator/Receptionist: What It Is and Career Path

What is an office administrator/receptionist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Janice Garnett Ed.D.

An office administrator and receptionist is one who ensures that there is smooth running of a business by offering support to individuals and teams as well as acting as the first point of contact with the visitors in an organization.

In this position, you will perform the duties of a receptionist and office administrator with responsibilities that include being required to receive visitors to the company offices, keep up with visitor-related records, transferring calls, handling queries presented via phone, email or mail, maintaining the needed office services such as cleaners and maintenance services, and receiving and dispatching deliveries.

What general advice would you give to an office administrator/receptionist?

Janice Garnett Ed.D.

Senior Lecturer, University of Nebraska - Omaha

Negotiate based on research, develop a career development plan, focus on enhancing performance, professional growth, and continuous learning.

ScoreOffice Administrator/ReceptionistUS Average

Salary

2.5

Avg. Salary $32,043

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.6

Growth rate -5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.16%

Asian 7.79%

Black or African American 9.23%

Hispanic or Latino 22.06%

Unknown 4.90%

White 54.86%

Gender

female 91.63%

male 8.37%

Age - 50

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 50

Stress level

6.6

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

4.3

Complexity level is basic

7 - challenging

Work life balance

7.1

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an office administrator/receptionist

Explore office administrator/receptionist education requirements

Most common office administrator/receptionist degrees

Bachelor's

37.4 %

High School Diploma

28.3 %

Associate

21.9 %

Start to develop specific office administrator/receptionist skills

Skills	Percentages
Phone Calls	11.58%
Data Entry	10.79%
Customer Service	9.31%
Front Desk	8.40%
Payroll	6.42%

Complete relevant office administrator/receptionist training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New office administrator/receptionists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an office administrator/receptionist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real office administrator/receptionist resumes.

Research office administrator/receptionist duties and responsibilities

Manage operational FedEx relationship through order fulfillment, shipment tracking, and communication with parties involve in shipment transaction.
Assist employees in obtaining thier vouchers for schooling.I used word, excell, and PowerPoint.
Operate and maintain PowerPoint presentation for department
Design and facilitate weekly seminars target to patients and caregivers on themes such as work ethics, motivation and organizational development.

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