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Office receptionist vs front office clerk

The differences between office receptionists and front office clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an office receptionist and a front office clerk. Additionally, an office receptionist has an average salary of $33,554, which is higher than the $31,051 average annual salary of a front office clerk.

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

Office receptionist vs front office clerk overview

Office ReceptionistFront Office Clerk
Yearly salary$33,554$31,051
Hourly rate$16.13$14.93
Growth rate--5%
Number of jobs80,143163,789
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%Associate Degree, 28%
Average age4247
Years of experience22

What does an office receptionist do?

An office receptionist, or administrative assistant, performs various administrative tasks for an organization. These tasks may include answering phone calls, providing the public and customers with information, and warmly welcoming, greeting, and directing visitors or guests accordingly. Additionally, an office receptionist is responsible for maintaining security by issuing visitor badges, monitoring logbooks, and following procedures. Administrative assistants are also responsible for preparing and processing travel vouchers and other documents. Some employers prefer someone with a college or bachelor's degree, telephone skills, and excellent communication skills.

What does a front office clerk do?

A front office clerk performs various administrative and secretarial duties, including welcoming and greeting clients and visitors, answering telephone calls, and managing the office budget. You will be responsible for monitoring, organizing, and forwarding emails and maintaining files and records. Other duties include following company policies and procedures, organizing transportation for guests, and handling and resolving guest complaints. In addition, you will also be responsible for invoicing and billing guests for their stay and used services.

Office receptionist vs front office clerk salary

Office receptionists and front office clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

Office ReceptionistFront Office Clerk
Average salary$33,554$31,051
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $41,000Between $25,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CityMinneapolis, MNMinneapolis, MN
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyDairy Farmers of AmericaLimbach
Best paying industryManufacturingGovernment

Differences between office receptionist and front office clerk education

There are a few differences between an office receptionist and a front office clerk in terms of educational background:

Office ReceptionistFront Office Clerk
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%Associate Degree, 28%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Office receptionist vs front office clerk demographics

Here are the differences between office receptionists' and front office clerks' demographics:

Office ReceptionistFront Office Clerk
Average age4247
Gender ratioMale, 9.5% Female, 90.5%Male, 13.9% Female, 86.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 22.6% Asian, 6.4% White, 55.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 24.3% Asian, 7.0% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between office receptionist and front office clerk duties and responsibilities

Office receptionist example responsibilities.

  • Verify insurance information and manage medical records while ensuring confidentiality according to HIPAA requirements.
  • Answer phones, make copies, Microsoft, PowerPoint, scheduling, greet and interact with clients, filing and mailing.
  • Complete and audit payroll for accuracy.
  • Process payroll and monthly/quarterly sales tax liabilities.
  • Stock exam rooms, sterilize instruments and occasionally assist physician with patients.
  • Provide high-quality customer-service to patients by treating them respectfully and t with discretion.
  • Show more

Front office clerk example responsibilities.

  • Manage front office check-in, insurance verification and certifications from doctors.
  • Maintain a high knowledge level of regulations on the confidentiality of medical records (HIPAA).
  • Verify releases of information according to HIPPA regulations.
  • Maintain confidentiality of patient information; abiding by HIPPA guidelines.
  • Register all patients per registration protocols, schedule appointments, and provide appointment reminder calls.
  • Respond to routine technical questions regarding patients' right and responsibilities and medical eligibility for care.
  • Show more

Office receptionist vs front office clerk skills

Common office receptionist skills
  • Patients, 20%
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Phone Calls, 12%
  • Data Entry, 9%
  • Front Desk, 6%
  • Appointment Scheduling, 5%
Common front office clerk skills
  • Patients, 34%
  • Check-In, 8%
  • Data Entry, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Front Desk, 4%
  • Appointment Scheduling, 4%

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