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Job outlook for office administrator/receptionists in the United States
Office administrator/receptionist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected office administrator/receptionist job growth rate is -5% from 2018-2028.
About -130,800 new jobs for office administrator/receptionists are projected over the next decade.
Office administrator/receptionist salaries have increased 16% for office administrator/receptionists in the last 5 years.
There are over 834,532 office administrator/receptionists currently employed in the United States.
There are 132,155 active office administrator/receptionist job openings in the US.
The average office administrator/receptionist salary is $32,043.
Are office administrator/receptionist jobs in demand?
Office administrator/receptionist job and salary trends over time
Office administrator/receptionist jobs over time
Office administrator/receptionist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 834,532 | 0.25% |
| 2020 | 894,104 | 0.27% |
| 2019 | 951,084 | 0.28% |
| 2018 | 956,900 | 0.29% |
| 2017 | 954,788 | 0.29% |
Average office administrator/receptionist salary over time
Office administrator/receptionist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $32,043 | $15.41 | +3.8% |
| 2024 | $30,873 | $14.84 | +4.0% |
| 2023 | $29,685 | $14.27 | +3.9% |
| 2022 | $28,569 | $13.74 | +3.0% |
| 2021 | $27,735 | $13.33 | +3.4% |
Office administrator/receptionist jobs by state
Most common states for office administrator/receptionists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | 739,795 | 244 | 33% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,132 | 31% |
| 3 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,419 | 25% |
| 4 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 753 | 24% |
| 5 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 328 | 24% |
| 6 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 248 | 24% |
| 7 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 166 | 24% |
| 8 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 174 | 23% |
| 9 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 928 | 22% |
| 10 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 691 | 22% |
| 11 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 238 | 22% |
| 12 | Vermont | 623,657 | 139 | 22% |
| 13 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,556 | 21% |
| 14 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,178 | 21% |
| 15 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 412 | 21% |
| 16 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 121 | 21% |
| 17 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 4,242 | 20% |
| 18 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,414 | 20% |
| 19 | Delaware | 961,939 | 194 | 20% |
| 20 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 680 | 19% |
Most common cities for office administrator/receptionists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glendora | 3 | 6% | $36,834 |
| 2 | Fountain Valley | 2 | 4% | $36,743 |
| 3 | Chicago Heights | 1 | 3% | $33,389 |
| 4 | Englewood | 1 | 3% | $38,765 |
| 5 | Costa Mesa | 2 | 2% | $36,716 |
| 6 | Vallejo | 2 | 2% | $38,629 |
| 7 | Burien | 1 | 2% | $39,382 |
| 8 | Seattle | 4 | 1% | $39,430 |
| 9 | Sacramento | 3 | 1% | $38,460 |
| 10 | Bellevue | 1 | 1% | $39,400 |
| 11 | Bethlehem | 1 | 1% | $29,059 |
| 12 | Cape Coral | 1 | 1% | $28,744 |
| 13 | Columbia | 1 | 1% | $31,984 |
| 14 | Elgin | 1 | 1% | $33,787 |
| 15 | Chandler | 1 | 0% | $32,780 |
| 16 | Denver | 1 | 0% | $38,773 |
Office Administrator/Receptionist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of office administrator/receptionist experts
University of Nebraska - Omaha
Ohio University
Missouri University of Science & Technology
California State University Channel Islands
Ohio University - Lancaster Campus
Dixie State University
Meredith College
Tarleton State University
University of Hawai'i West O'ahu
Virginia Commonwealth University
International Association of Administrative Professionals
What general advice would you give to an Office Administrator/Receptionist?
Janice Garnett Ed.D.: Negotiate based on research, develop a career development plan, focus on enhancing performance, professional growth, and continuous learning.
What will help Office Administrator/Receptionists increase their earning potential?
Janice Garnett Ed.D.: Being a future-ready leader, Utilizing data-driven decision-making, Leading culturally responsive schools, Leading learning through instructional leadership, Championing Social-Emotional Learning (SEL).
What skills stand out on Office Administrator/Receptionist resumes?
Allison White: Knowledge of spreadsheets software such as MS Excel is a commonly sought-after skill. Employers want word processing and spreadsheet skills but often say they want high school graduates and pay accordingly. These skills aren't always taught in high school. Those in the field should seek these skills. Additionally, medical and legal assistants have highly sought after. Terminology courses for these specialized areas are sometimes offered at the vocational schools but are usually offered at the post-secondary level.
Christi Patton Luks
Professor (NTT) and Associate Chair for Academic AffairsMissouri University of Science & Technology
Linda & Bipin Doshi Department of Chemical & Biochemical Engineering
What's a good job out of college for Office Administrator/Receptionists?
Christi Patton Luks: A good job out of college is one that can be adapted to the individual's skills and interests and encourages them to stretch. Frequently, students think they want to work in a particular type of job. Once they have it, they discover that it was not what they thought it would be. Many companies rotate new employees through a variety of positions. Those are great for helping people find their own hidden talents. I know that I have discovered abilities that I would not have even attempted when I was 20.
Amanda Carpenter
DirectorCalifornia State University Channel Islands
Department of Career Development and Alumni Engagement
What technical skills for an Office Administrator/Receptionist stand out to employers?
Amanda Carpenter: -Data analytics skills are critical technical skills that stand out to employers in today's market. According to NACE (2018), the use of data analytics is projected to have the most significant impact on an organization's operational efficiency and revenue generation.
-Source (NACE): www.naceweb.org
Brandy Bailey
Career CoachOhio University - Lancaster Campus
Student Services, Career Services
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Office Administrator/Receptionists?
Brandy Bailey: Take a look at the job description for which you are applying, what certifications/licenses/courses do they list? If you personally have any of them that are included in the job description, be sure to include them on your resume. Tailoring your resume, including your skills and experiences, to the job description will have the biggest impact on your job prospects. If you have taken a course that the employer deems as necessary to be able to perform the job, list it on your resume and talk about it during your interview. If you are not quite ready to graduate and apply for jobs, you may still have some time to squeeze in a course or experience that will meet the qualifications of a job that you are interested in applying for in the future. Do your research and tailor your resume and experiences to the job you are applying for to increase your job prospects.
Dr. Mike Peterson Ph.D.
Department Chair and Associate Professor of EnglishDixie State University
English Department
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Office Administrator/Receptionists to find work opportunities?
Dr. Mike Peterson Ph.D.: The great thing about a degree in English is that graduates can find work anywhere: teaching, freelance writing, technical writing, content production, editing, reporting-you name it. There are ample jobs in small towns and large cities in all of these areas. English degrees are also highly valued in a variety of jobs-such as sales, public relations, marketing, and paralegal work-because employers know these applicants, from day one, will have strong skills in writing, communication, critical thinking, and creative thinking.
What type of skills will young Office Administrator/Receptionists need?
Angela Robbins Ph.D.: History majors are in high demand in government, business, and non-profits because of the knowledge and skills they gain in the classroom. History majors, in particular, are especially good at contextualizing-that is, explaining how an event or discussion fits within the big picture. This includes how things that are going on today-such as the Capitol riot on January 6-connects to the Constitution, the balance of powers, the way democracy works, and related issues such as the implications of propaganda and misinformation. This goes well beyond merely expressing an opinion or debating two sides of an issue. Students of history do their research and practice skills of analysis, collecting and scrutinizing evidence rather than taking something at face value or only relying on a single source. We take sources apart to evaluate the credentials of their creators and search for bias. We examine sources from various creators so we take into account multiple experiences and points of view. Then we synthesize-or bring the sources together-in order to communicate what it all means. These skills are desired by employers and translate well into many careers and work environments. Seeking good evidence to answer questions and solve problems, whether that's in the classroom today or working with clients later, is a skill that employers highly value.
Students are practicing other skills that are necessary to success in the workplace, whether that will be in person or online. Time management, seeing a project through from start to finish, hosting and contributing to meetings, working on a team-whether it's two people or ten-and creating appropriate types of presentations to communicate ideas are all things our students can tell their employers they will come in with so they can hit the ground running. In addition, our majors develop self-awareness, empathy, and an appreciation of diverse opinions and approaches to problems through investigation of the life experiences of historical figures and their classroom discussions with classmates. Certainly, every employer wants you to learn the specifics within their sector, but these skills are fairly universal and will benefit majors as they move from the classroom to career.
Dr. Jacqueline Abernathy
Assistant ProfessorTarleton State University
Public Administration
What Office Administrator/Receptionist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Jacqueline Abernathy: I think this piggybacks a little bit on what I said above on finding a way to distinguish oneself from the competition. Anything done during a gap year would hopefully yield some knowledge, skill, or ability that can be listed as a bullet point on their resume that others may not have. Suppose a student just wants to travel to China for a while and see the Great Wall. "Back-packed in the Orient" would not be a resume bullet but "conversational in Mandarin" would be. To a lesser extent, "Cultural competency with Chinese colleagues and associates" would be, and if asked, the student could explain their familiarity with Chinese customs and etiquette came from extensive time abroad. That might give the students an advantage in certain jobs, but just being able to speak another language could be a job in itself, like as a translator. Whatever a student does during a gap year, ideally, they should walk away with a skill that someone will pay for.
Unfortunately, because of economic realities, a lot of students just take the year off to work and they work in a job where a year of experience won't necessarily count for much (if anything) when they graduate with their expected degree. This goes for both high school graduates and college graduates taking a break before their next degree. I've read the arguments about the benefits of taking a gap year, but aside from students that are on a waiting list for a prestigious program who just have time to kill, I personally find the concept of a gap year to be ill-advised as a general rule, more so between an undergraduate degree and masters or masters and doctorate. Often times the pitfalls outweigh the benefits at any stage. It just presents an opportunity for life to get in the way of something a student knows they want to do, or it delays it. Someone fresh out of high school taking a gap year to get a skill that they think will benefit them in their career after graduation might find themselves in a completely different career by the time they graduate. And university graduates who plan to further their education- taking a break or just working for a while before graduate school can put them at a disadvantage. Taking a break makes graduate school potentially harder once they have gotten used to living without that stress, the transition back to a student can be unnecessarily difficult than if they went straight through.
Those who start their career with a bachelor's degree when they know they need more than can make life choices and financial commitments that are very difficult to keep in grad school. Perhaps they financed a car or became invested in a project they don't want to abandon but would have easier with a master's degree. Or they start a family and now have to juggle caring for and providing for their family with getting the next degree they need when caring for family would have likely been easier if they had an advanced degree. My bachelor's degree was in social work and many of my classmates decided that they just wanted to work for a while before attending grad school, only to find their return to school delayed and all of the experience they gain with that license not translating into an advantage after they graduated and were looking for a job with the higher license. Essentially many of them just had to play catch-up to those that went straight through and started their career at a higher level. Starting at one level when you know that you need the next level can just be lost time, especially since starting with a bang would only put off working for two years to get the next degree.
I had classmates that intended to go back after a year or two, but by the time they intended to return, they fell in love, got married, had beautiful babies, and all of these blessings meant that they couldn't walk away from a job and health insurance to study full-time. This meant it was harder and took far longer and increased their time working for lower pay, whereas if they hadn't taken a break, they would be working full-time at a higher pay with no classes to juggle. I'm not suggesting that people put off life until school is done or delay marriage, children, or buying a home in favor of going back to school if that is their next step in life, only that they can't assume that it'll be easy to just pick up where they left off if they choose to wait.
Less fortunate things can happen as well, like health crises and caregiving, developing an illness, or having to care for aging parents. These things would have been easier if they have chosen to go straight through. These are some reasons why I think taking a gap year is risky. But if anybody wants to take a gap year, I would be conscientious not to commit to anything that would delay returning to school or not make up for that time by giving them a competitive edge. Otherwise, a year off can easily turn into a decade and it can just add up to lost time.
What type of skills will young Office Administrator/Receptionists need?
Dr. Mary F. Heller: Young graduates will need to emerge into the profession as. . .
-Caring and flexible individuals who understand how to design and deliver developmentally appropriate and culturally relevant pedagogy to our diverse student populations.
-Technologically savvy teachers can use a state of the art computer software and Internet platforms to support teaching and learning.
-Life-long learners who are not hesitant to reach out to others through professional development or graduate work keep current in their respective fields.
How would you rate the starting salaries for Office Administrator/Receptionists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Dr. Richard Huff Ph.D.: While MPA students are not drawn to public service by high salaries, it is reasonable to expect remuneration, which respects their credentials and experience. Many students are mid-level careerists and are likely to remain in their jobs where an advanced degree may improve their opportunities for advancement, and others may be looking for a career change. Also, a cohort of students moving from undergraduate to graduate degrees with internships is common.
These groups likely present varying degrees of salary requirements and qualifications. In the federal service, an MPA qualifies as one at the GS-9 entry-level. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) publishes salary tables at Link The beginning salary varies by location from $53K to $61K, with the higher amount near large metropolitan areas. Higher salaries are common in overseas areas. Progression is based on performance with opportunities to achieve salaries of $150K and over at the executive levels. Overall, beginning salaries for the MPA considering nonprofits and government agencies is estimated at $53K.
What type of skills will young Office Administrator/Receptionists need?
Veronica Cochran: Those entering the administrative profession in the upcoming years will find it beneficial to understand what it means to be a strategic partner to their direct manager/supervisor, department, and organization at-large. As strategic partners, their role will extend beyond being a support person. It will involve strategically aligning oneself to fulfilling the organization's mission and vision while achieving business outcomes and success. The following skills will optimize both professional and organizational effectiveness:
1. Time management and organization
2. High EQ and interpersonal communication
3. Leadership effectiveness and accountability
4. Relationship management - (high inclusion capacity and high collaboration)
5. Problem-solving and innovation
6. Strategic planning and adaptability