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The differences between receptionist/customer services and customer service associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a receptionist/customer service and a customer service associate. Additionally, a customer service associate has an average salary of $31,709, which is higher than the $30,604 average annual salary of a receptionist/customer service.
The top three skills for a receptionist/customer service include customer service, phone calls and data entry. The most important skills for a customer service associate are patients, sales floor, and plumbing.
| Receptionist/Customer Service | Customer Service Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $30,604 | $31,709 |
| Hourly rate | $14.71 | $15.24 |
| Growth rate | -4% | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 216,587 | 380,943 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 35% | Bachelor's Degree, 35% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
Receptionists or customer service professionals are considered as the first contact point of the clients. They usually greet and welcome guests visiting an office or organization. These are employees who serve as administrative or office support. They take responsibility for digital communication. It is their job to coordinate the front desk activities such as redirecting phone calls and distributing correspondence. They should be equipped with skills like attention to detail, dependability, and communication skills.
Customer service associates are representatives of the company who are responsible for solving customer concerns. They provide exceptional service to clients to ensure that their problems are solved and that the relationship between the client and the company remains strong. Customer service associates are in-charge of processing transactions, maintaining a good working relationship between the client and the company, ensuring that the client remains loyal to the company, and working on the requests of the client. Through all of this, customer service associates must keep any information they may encounter confidential. They should also have time management skills, problem-solving skills, and customer service skills.
Receptionist/customer services and customer service associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Receptionist/Customer Service | Customer Service Associate | |
| Average salary | $30,604 | $31,709 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $37,000 | Between $24,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | Billerica, MA | Richmond, CA |
| Highest paying state | Minnesota | California |
| Best paying company | Uline | Fidelity Investments |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Finance |
There are a few differences between a receptionist/customer service and a customer service associate in terms of educational background:
| Receptionist/Customer Service | Customer Service Associate | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 35% | Bachelor's Degree, 35% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between receptionist/customer services' and customer service associates' demographics:
| Receptionist/Customer Service | Customer Service Associate | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 8.0% Female, 92.0% | Male, 38.4% Female, 61.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 25.4% Asian, 6.1% White, 51.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 19.5% Asian, 6.6% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |