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How to hire a receptionist secretary

Receptionist secretary hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring receptionist secretaries in the United States:

  • There are currently 1,662,049 receptionist secretaries in the US, as well as 61,892 job openings.
  • Receptionist secretaries are in the highest demand in Shreveport, LA, with 4 current job openings.
  • The median cost to hire a receptionist secretary is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new receptionist secretary to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a receptionist secretary, step by step

To hire a receptionist secretary, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a receptionist secretary:

Here's a step-by-step receptionist secretary hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a receptionist secretary job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new receptionist secretary
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a receptionist secretary do?

A receptionist secretary is responsible for providing the best customer service, as well as attending to the needs of existing and potential clients. Duties of a receptionist secretary include managing customer's inquiries and forwarding important calls to the appropriate department, performing administrative and clerical tasks, escalating high-level of client's concerns to the management, keeping the reception area clean, monitoring office supplies and request stocks as needed, and maintaining an organized record of meetings and events. A receptionist secretary must have strong communication and multi-tasking skills to handle workloads of daily operations.

Learn more about the specifics of what a receptionist secretary does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    First, determine the employments status of the receptionist secretary you need to hire. Certain receptionist secretary roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A receptionist secretary's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, receptionist secretaries from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    This list shows salaries for various types of receptionist secretaries.

    Type of Receptionist SecretaryDescriptionHourly rate
    Receptionist SecretaryReceptionists perform administrative tasks, such as answering phones, receiving visitors, and providing general information about their organization to the public and customers.$11-16
    Administrative ReceptionistAn administrative receptionist is responsible for performing administrative tasks, handling visitors' inquiries and concerns, verifying appointments, and leading them to the appropriate personnel and department, as well as handling and routing calls. Administrative receptionists also keep records of the staff meeting and executive conference, including company and promotional events... Show more$12-18
    Front Desk ReceptionistFront desk receptionists are usually the first contact of clients or visitors in an office or building. They are responsible for welcoming and receiving guests, documenting guests' arrival and updating the visitor logbook, informing hosts and other involved employees that the guests have arrived, and directing the guests to where they should go next... Show more$11-18
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Patients
    • Data Entry
    • Phone Calls
    • Customer Service
    • Telephone Calls
    • Appointment Scheduling
    • Payroll
    • Front Desk
    • PowerPoint
    • Greeting Visitors
    • Administrative Functions
    • Routine Correspondence
    • Office Equipment
    • Word Processing
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Assist office management and staff with administrative projects/responsibilities such as managing time-sensitive projects, filing, copying, and collating materials.
    • Maintain confidential information/ HIPPA compliant.
    • Prepare PowerPoint presentations and distribute meeting materials.
    • Maintain confidentiality and release health records information following HIPPA guidelines.
    • Develop and present PowerPoint presentations to visiting dignitaries from higher headquarters.
    • Assist office management and staff with administrative projects/responsibilities such as managing time-sensitive projects, filing, copying, and collating materials.
    More receptionist secretary duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your receptionist secretary job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A receptionist secretary can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, receptionist secretaries' average salary in south carolina is 35% less than in washington.
    • Seniority. Entry-level receptionist secretaries 31% less than senior-level receptionist secretaries.
    • Certifications. A receptionist secretary with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a receptionist secretary's salary.

    Average receptionist secretary salary

    $14.11hourly

    $29,343 yearly

    Entry-level receptionist secretary salary
    $24,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 23, 2025

    Average receptionist secretary salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Oregon$33,287$16
    2New York$32,872$16
    3Massachusetts$31,643$15
    4California$31,640$15
    5New Jersey$31,135$15
    6Colorado$30,906$15
    7Rhode Island$30,846$15
    8Maryland$28,978$14
    9Illinois$28,908$14
    10Arizona$28,862$14
    11Florida$27,909$13
    12Nevada$26,953$13
    13Utah$26,668$13
    14Indiana$26,607$13
    15Texas$26,606$13
    16New Mexico$26,602$13
    17Pennsylvania$26,309$13
    18Missouri$26,295$13
    19Louisiana$24,194$12

    Average receptionist secretary salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Illinois Institute of Technology$30,096$14.47
    2Cape Cod Healthcare$29,802$14.3324
    3American Addiction Centers$29,743$14.30
    4Hydraulic Controls$29,592$14.23
    5Universal Health Services$29,455$14.1671
    6South Shore Health$29,413$14.14
    7Catholic Charities of Buffalo$29,401$14.14
    8BronxWorks$29,382$14.13
    9Skyline$29,288$14.08
    10Fresenius Medical Care North America Holdings Limited Partnership$29,246$14.0615
    11Tetra Tech$29,209$14.04
    12NANA$28,827$13.8622
    13The GEO Group$28,796$13.8423
    14Adecco$28,761$13.8324
    15Fresenius Medical Care Windsor, LLC$28,526$13.7124
    16Montana$28,513$13.71
    17PATH (People Acting To Help), Inc Community Mental Health$28,512$13.71
    18Robert Half$28,361$13.64216
    19Abraxas Youth & Family Services$27,531$13.241
    20alternatives$27,206$13.08
  4. Writing a receptionist secretary job description

    A good receptionist secretary job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a receptionist secretary job description:

    Receptionist secretary job description example

    JOB TITLE: Secretary/Receptionist # 04401 – Laboratory Department

    DEFINITION OF POSITION:

    Under the direction of the Laboratory Manager, the incumbent in this position functions as an active member of the Laboratory Department. This position is responsible for a variety of clerical functions including but not limited to preparing and maintaining patient files, scheduling, and communicating with customers. Using Meditech and Epic to pull orders and print orders. Facilitates communication between lab assistant, technologists, and patients by answering phone calls and looking up patient results for providers. Uses excellent customer service when answering phones. Maintains routine and standing orders in electronic fax que. Scans in lab orders into EPIC computer system for medical records. Responsible for maintaining an orderly office and stock of supplies.

    ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS :

    1. perform a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature without loss of efficiency or composure.
    2. accept responsibility for scheduling patients and coordinating group classes and individual appointments and annual meeting.
    3. accept responsibility for admitting, discharging, entering charges, and occasionally collecting fees from customers.
    4. work independently.
    5. recognize the rights and responsibilities of patient confidentiality (HIPPA).
    6. convey empathy and compassion to those experiencing pain, grief, and chronic illness.
    7. relate to others in a manner that creates a sense of teamwork and cooperation.
    8. communicate effectively with staff, management, patients, and visitors.
    9. respond to changes in the workload as assigned by the manager or coordinator (other duties as assigned).
    10. observe all safety and infection control procedures.
    11. accept responsibility for using audiovisual equipment and computers
    12. communicate with insurance companies on behalf of the patient to determine coverage for services.
    13. work with culturally diverse population.

    QUALIFICATIONS:

    A. Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Must be able to speak and write fluent English and demonstrate basic math skills.

    B. Experience: Previous experience working in a customer service environment, preferably healthcare, is desirable, however, not required. Computer skills are required. Bilingual and/or English-Spanish speaking essential. Ability to work with culturally diverse population.

    C. Licenses, certification, and/or registrations: None

    D. Equipment, tools, and work aids: Telephone skills, Computer, power point projector, telephone, printer/FAX machine

  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find receptionist secretaries for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your receptionist secretary job on Zippia to find and recruit receptionist secretary candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    During your first interview to recruit receptionist secretaries, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new receptionist secretary

    Once you have selected a candidate for the receptionist secretary position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    To prepare for the new receptionist secretary first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a receptionist secretary?

There are different types of costs for hiring receptionist secretaries. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new receptionist secretary employee.

Receptionist secretaries earn a median yearly salary is $29,343 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find receptionist secretaries for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $11 and $16.

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