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Receptionist vs office receptionist

The differences between receptionists and office receptionists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a receptionist and an office receptionist. Additionally, an office receptionist has an average salary of $33,554, which is higher than the $30,571 average annual salary of a receptionist.

The top three skills for a receptionist include patients, phone calls and customer service. The most important skills for an office receptionist are patients, customer service, and phone calls.

Receptionist vs office receptionist overview

ReceptionistOffice Receptionist
Yearly salary$30,571$33,554
Hourly rate$14.70$16.13
Growth rate--
Number of jobs65,67180,143
Job satisfaction3-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 33%Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

What does a receptionist do?

Receptionists are employees assigned at the entrances or lobbies of offices. They welcome guests, check identification, issue visitor badges, attend to questions or inquiries, and direct guests to where they are supposed to go. They also receive general mail or packages, answer calls, and manage schedules. Receptionists perform various clerical or administrative functions as assigned by their supervisors. They should have good client relations 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 vs office receptionist salary

Receptionists and office receptionists have different pay scales, as shown below.

ReceptionistOffice Receptionist
Average salary$30,571$33,554
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $38,000Between $27,000 And $41,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCMinneapolis, MN
Highest paying stateMassachusettsAlaska
Best paying companyGenslerDairy Farmers of America
Best paying industryFinanceManufacturing

Differences between receptionist and office receptionist education

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

ReceptionistOffice Receptionist
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 33%Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college-University of Pennsylvania

Receptionist vs office receptionist demographics

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

ReceptionistOffice Receptionist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 8.4% Female, 91.6%Male, 9.5% Female, 90.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 23.5% Asian, 6.1% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%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 Percentage6%6%

Differences between receptionist and office receptionist duties and responsibilities

Receptionist example responsibilities.

  • Manage invoicing with QuickBooks, taking customer calls and helping with any issues, parts and equipment delivery/pickup/ordering.
  • Manage multiple employee/resident databases utilizing an EMR system.
  • Verify insurance information and manage medical records while ensuring confidentiality according to HIPAA requirements.
  • Manage desk operations for the YMCA, organizing and documenting members' payments and collating operational documents
  • Assist office management and staff with administrative projects/responsibilities such as managing time-sensitive projects, filing, copying, and collating materials.
  • Bill patients for medical services provide by various doctors using ICD-9 and CPT-4 coding.
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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.
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Receptionist vs office receptionist skills

Common receptionist skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Phone Calls, 14%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Data Entry, 9%
  • Telephone Calls, 8%
  • Front Desk, 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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