Receptionist/customer service vs office receptionist

The differences between receptionist/customer services and office receptionists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a receptionist/customer service, becoming an office receptionist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an office receptionist has an average salary of $33,554, 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 an office receptionist are patients, customer service, and phone calls.

Receptionist/customer service vs office receptionist overview

	Receptionist/Customer Service	Office Receptionist
Yearly salary	$30,604	$33,554
Hourly rate	$14.71	$16.13
Growth rate	-4%	-
Number of jobs	216,587	80,143
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 35%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age	40	42
Years of experience	12	2

What does a receptionist/customer service do?

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.

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.

Receptionist/customer service vs office receptionist salary

Receptionist/customer services and office receptionists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Receptionist/Customer Service	Office Receptionist
Average salary	$30,604	$33,554
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $37,000	Between $27,000 And $41,000
Highest paying City	Billerica, MA	Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state	Minnesota	Alaska
Best paying company	Uline	Dairy Farmers of America
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Manufacturing

Differences between receptionist/customer service and office receptionist education

There are a few differences between a receptionist/customer service and an office receptionist in terms of educational background:

	Receptionist/Customer Service	Office Receptionist
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 35%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	University of Pennsylvania

Receptionist/customer service vs office receptionist demographics

Here are the differences between receptionist/customer services' and office receptionists' demographics:

	Receptionist/Customer Service	Office Receptionist
Average age	40	42
Gender ratio	Male, 8.0% Female, 92.0%	Male, 9.5% Female, 90.5%
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, 10.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 22.6% Asian, 6.4% White, 55.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	7%	6%

Differences between receptionist/customer service and office receptionist duties and responsibilities

Receptionist/customer service example responsibilities.

Assist office management and staff with administrative projects/responsibilities such as managing time-sensitive projects, filing, copying, and collating materials.
Assist office management and staff with administrative projects/responsibilities such as managing time-sensitive projects, filing, copying, and collating materials.
Bill and collect from private pay, Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance companies.
Doctor authorization for treatments, understanding of Medicare and Medicaid, prior authorizations (if need).
Resolve problems with the buyers concerning invoices that do not match in the AS400 system.
Receive and apply checks into AS400 accounting database and scan checks into bank, on a daily basis.

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.

Receptionist/customer service vs office receptionist skills

Common receptionist/customer service skills

Customer Service, 16%
Phone Calls, 15%
Data Entry, 14%
Telephone Calls, 8%
Front Desk, 8%
Scheduling Appointments, 8%

Common office receptionist skills

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

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Office and Administrative Industry
Receptionist/Customer Service
Receptionist/Customer Service vs Office Receptionist

Updated January 8, 2025

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