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The average salary for a receptionist in the United States is $30,571 per year, equating to approximately $15 per hour. This figure can vary significantly based on several factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and the specific industry. For example, receptionists in high-demand sectors such as healthcare and technology may earn more than those in traditional administrative roles.
In different states, receptionist salaries can differ notably. For instance, states like California and New York tend to offer higher wages compared to the national average, while regions with a lower cost of living may present lower salary figures. Analyzing local salary trends can help job seekers identify the best opportunities in their area.
Experience plays a crucial role in determining salary levels. Entry-level receptionists may start at lower wages, while those with extensive experience or specialized skills can command significantly higher salaries. Moreover, additional training in customer service or office management can enhance earning potential.
Understanding these factors can guide job seekers in making informed decisions about their career paths in the receptionist field.
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The average receptionist salary in Massachusetts, Washington, and New York are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average receptionist salary states are Oklahoma, West Virginia, and Arkansas.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $33,951 | $16.32 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $33,702 | $16.20 |
| 3 | New York | $33,807 | $16.25 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $34,278 | $16.48 |
| 5 | Maine | $31,310 | $15.05 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $32,262 | $15.51 |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $33,120 | $15.92 |
| 8 | Alaska | $31,677 | $15.23 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $32,018 | $15.39 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | $29,358 | $14.11 |
| 11 | California | $33,454 | $16.08 |
| 12 | Arizona | $28,873 | $13.88 |
| 13 | Michigan | $28,106 | $13.51 |
| 14 | Nevada | $28,941 | $13.91 |
| 15 | Minnesota | $29,867 | $14.36 |
| 16 | Vermont | $32,535 | $15.64 |
| 17 | Oregon | $30,869 | $14.84 |
| 18 | Iowa | $27,091 | $13.02 |
| 19 | Hawaii | $31,194 | $15.00 |
| 20 | Missouri | $27,986 | $13.45 |
| 21 | South Dakota | $27,842 | $13.39 |
| 22 | Illinois | $29,282 | $14.08 |
| 23 | District of Columbia | $34,694 | $16.68 |
| 24 | Utah | $27,299 | $13.12 |
| 25 | Colorado | $29,719 | $14.29 |
| 26 | Texas | $26,965 | $12.96 |
| 27 | Indiana | $26,644 | $12.81 |
| 28 | Wisconsin | $27,037 | $13.00 |
| 29 | Maryland | $30,594 | $14.71 |
| 30 | North Dakota | $27,900 | $13.41 |
| 31 | Tennessee | $25,710 | $12.36 |
| 32 | Delaware | $27,299 | $13.12 |
| 33 | Kansas | $26,669 | $12.82 |
| 34 | Kentucky | $26,286 | $12.64 |
| 35 | Florida | $25,992 | $12.50 |
| 36 | Montana | $25,659 | $12.34 |
| 37 | Ohio | $26,007 | $12.50 |
| 38 | West Virginia | $25,496 | $12.26 |
| 39 | North Carolina | $26,689 | $12.83 |
| 40 | New Mexico | $26,621 | $12.80 |
| 41 | Virginia | $27,239 | $13.10 |
| 42 | Nebraska | $26,168 | $12.58 |
| 43 | Wyoming | $26,501 | $12.74 |
| 44 | Georgia | $25,869 | $12.44 |
| 45 | Oklahoma | $25,622 | $12.32 |
| 46 | South Carolina | $25,849 | $12.43 |
| 47 | Idaho | $25,741 | $12.38 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $24,635 | $11.84 |
| 49 | Alabama | $24,039 | $11.56 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $24,030 | $11.55 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $23,209 | $11.16 |
The highest-paying cities for receptionists are Washington, DC, Boston, MA, and San Francisco, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $34,708 | $16.69 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $34,245 | $16.46 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $34,223 | $16.45 |
| 4 | Des Moines, WA | $34,145 | $16.42 |
| 5 | Rochester, NY | $34,142 | $16.41 |
| 6 | Rochester, NH | $31,984 | $15.38 |
| 7 | Washington, NJ | $31,527 | $15.16 |
| 8 | Portland, ME | $31,375 | $15.08 |
| 9 | Portland, OR | $30,778 | $14.80 |
| 10 | Baltimore, MD | $30,766 | $14.79 |
| 11 | Minneapolis, MN | $29,882 | $14.37 |
| 12 | Boulder, CO | $29,742 | $14.30 |
| 13 | Philadelphia, PA | $29,526 | $14.20 |
| 14 | Chicago, IL | $29,337 | $14.10 |
| 15 | Phoenix, AZ | $28,876 | $13.88 |
| 16 | Las Vegas, NV | $28,830 | $13.86 |
| 17 | Kansas City, MO | $28,020 | $13.47 |
| 18 | Salt Lake City, UT | $27,297 | $13.12 |
| 19 | San Antonio, TX | $27,000 | $12.98 |
| 20 | Des Moines, IA | $27,000 | $12.98 |
Receptionists are the most in-demand in these five cities:
A receptionist's salary ranges from $24,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $38,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| 75th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| Average | $30,571 | $2,548 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
The highest paying types of receptionists are support clerk, medical billing, receptionist, and front desk administration.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Support Clerk | $35,159 | $2,930 | $16.90 | 163,168 |
| Clerk | $31,163 | $2,597 | $14.98 | 80,311 |
| Front Office Clerk | $31,051 | $2,588 | $14.93 | 163,789 |
| Office Clerk | $30,927 | $2,577 | $14.87 | 106,497 |
| General Office Clerk | $30,034 | $2,503 | $14.44 | 160,597 |
| Front Desk Coordinator | $31,667 | $2,639 | $15.22 | 119,803 |
Top companies hiring receptionists now:
Receptionist salaries at Gensler and Cornerstone Research are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average receptionist salary at companies like The PNC Financial Services Group and JPMorgan Chase & Co. are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gensler | $45,965 | $22.10 |
| 2 | Cornerstone Research | $43,642 | $20.98 |
| 3 | The PNC Financial Services Group | $43,079 | $20.71 |
| 4 | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | $42,738 | $20.55 |
| 5 | University of California-Berkeley | $42,617 | $20.49 |
| 6 | Fidelity Investments | $41,570 | $19.99 |
| 7 | NRDC | $40,388 | $19.42 |
| 8 | Epiq | $40,376 | $19.41 |
| 9 | The University of Chicago | $40,098 | $19.28 |
| 10 | Louisville Water | $39,643 | $19.06 |
| 11 | Beacon Hill Staffing Group | $38,712 | $18.61 |
| 12 | AEG | $38,577 | $18.55 |
| 13 | Student Conservation Association | $38,513 | $18.52 |
| 14 | Metals USA | $38,452 | $18.49 |
| 15 | UBS | $38,428 | $18.48 |
| 16 | Uline | $38,339 | $18.43 |
| 17 | Cargill | $38,280 | $18.40 |
| 18 | United States Courts | $38,042 | $18.29 |
| 19 | Eastern Metal Supply | $37,979 | $18.26 |
| 20 | McKinsey & Company Inc | $37,353 | $17.96 |
The average receptionist salary varies across industries:
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finance | $31,030 | $14.92 |
| 2 | Government | $30,662 | $14.74 |
| 3 | Professional | $30,548 | $14.69 |
| 4 | Manufacturing | $30,368 | $14.60 |
| 5 | Health Care | $30,299 | $14.57 |
| 6 | Hospitality | $29,467 | $14.17 |
| 7 | Retail | $28,845 | $13.87 |
| 8 | Real Estate | $27,031 | $13.00 |
The average receptionist salary has risen by $5,326 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average receptionist earned $25,245 annually, but today, they earn $30,571 a year. That works out to a 11% change in pay for receptionists over the last decade.
Compare receptionist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare receptionist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $30,600 | $14.70 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $29,500 | $14.20 | +3.0% |
| 2023 | $28,600 | $13.77 | +2.6% |
| 2022 | $27,900 | $13.41 | +1.7% |
| 2021 | $27,400 | $13.19 | +2.2% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Corporation International | Receptionist | Seattle, WA | 06/30/2025 | $45,914 |
| Service Corporation International | Receptionist | Riverside, CA | 06/30/2025 | $35,479 |
| Service Corporation International | Receptionist | Syosset, NY | 06/30/2025 | $41,740 |
| Bass Computers | Receptionist/Scheduler | Walnut, CA | 06/30/2025 | $43,827 |
| Williamsburg Landing | Receptionist | Williamsburg, VA | 06/30/2025 | $32,349 |
| Total Access Urgent Care | Receptionist-O' | Saint Louis, MO | 06/30/2025 | $35,479 |
| Wdc Kitchen Bath Center | Showroom Receptionist | La Quinta, CA | 06/30/2025 | $39,653 |
| Aaamidatlantic | Receptionist, Insurance | Lexington, KY | 06/30/2025 | $33,392 |
| Healthsouth | Receptionist | Newburgh, IN | 06/29/2025 | $27,131 |
| Healthsouth | Receptionist (Pool) | Bowie, MD | 06/29/2025 | $37,566 |
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