Office receptionist vs switchboard operator, receptionist

The differences between office receptionists and switchboard operators, receptionist 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 switchboard operator, receptionist. Additionally, an office receptionist has an average salary of $33,554, which is higher than the $25,889 average annual salary of a switchboard operator, receptionist.

The top three skills for an office receptionist include patients, customer service and phone calls. The most important skills for a switchboard operator, receptionist are greeting visitors, data entry, and customer service.

Office receptionist vs switchboard operator, receptionist overview

	Office Receptionist	Switchboard Operator, Receptionist
Yearly salary	$33,554	$25,889
Hourly rate	$16.13	$12.45
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	80,143	95,946
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 36%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	42	53
Years of experience	2	2

Office receptionist vs switchboard operator, receptionist salary

Office receptionists and switchboard operators, receptionist have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Office Receptionist	Switchboard Operator, Receptionist
Average salary	$33,554	$25,889
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $41,000	Between $19,000 And $33,000
Highest paying City	Minneapolis, MN	Spokane Valley, WA
Highest paying state	Alaska	Washington
Best paying company	Dairy Farmers of America	Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Finance

Differences between office receptionist and switchboard operator, receptionist education

There are a few differences between an office receptionist and a switchboard operator, receptionist in terms of educational background:

	Office Receptionist	Switchboard Operator, Receptionist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 36%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	-

Office receptionist vs switchboard operator, receptionist demographics

Here are the differences between office receptionists' and switchboard operators, receptionist' demographics:

	Office Receptionist	Switchboard Operator, Receptionist
Average age	42	53
Gender ratio	Male, 9.5% Female, 90.5%	Male, 5.8% Female, 94.2%
Race ratio	Black 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, 14.6% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 3.8% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	19%

Differences between office receptionist and switchboard operator, receptionist 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.

Switchboard operator, receptionist example responsibilities.

Assist office management and staff with administrative projects/responsibilities such as managing time-sensitive projects, filing, copying, and collating materials.
Operate an antique PBX switchboard, in charge of petty cash and responsible for receipt of incoming funds.
Operate PBX switchboard and develop procedure manuals to ensure consistency.
Assist office management and staff with administrative projects/responsibilities such as managing time-sensitive projects, filing, copying, and collating materials.
Answer switchboard calls; utilizing effective communication and listening skills.
Serve as face-of- company while receiving in-person visitors and directing incoming calls via switchboard.

Office receptionist vs switchboard operator, receptionist skills

Common office receptionist skills

Patients, 20%
Customer Service, 15%
Phone Calls, 12%
Data Entry, 9%
Front Desk, 6%
Appointment Scheduling, 5%

Common switchboard operator, receptionist skills

Greeting Visitors, 16%
Data Entry, 13%
Customer Service, 12%
Front Desk, 7%
Scheduling Appointments, 5%
Telephone Calls, 4%

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Office Receptionist vs Switchboard Operator, Receptionist

Updated January 8, 2025

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