Receptionist secretary vs switchboard operator, receptionist

The differences between receptionist secretaries and switchboard operators, receptionist 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 secretary and a switchboard operator, receptionist. Additionally, a receptionist secretary has an average salary of $29,343, which is higher than the $25,889 average annual salary of a switchboard operator, receptionist.

The top three skills for a receptionist secretary include patients, data entry and phone calls. The most important skills for a switchboard operator, receptionist are greeting visitors, data entry, and customer service.

Receptionist secretary vs switchboard operator, receptionist overview

	Receptionist Secretary	Switchboard Operator, Receptionist
Yearly salary	$29,343	$25,889
Hourly rate	$14.11	$12.45
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	61,892	95,946
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 37%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	42	53
Years of experience	2	2

Receptionist secretary vs switchboard operator, receptionist salary

Receptionist secretaries and switchboard operators, receptionist have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Receptionist Secretary	Switchboard Operator, Receptionist
Average salary	$29,343	$25,889
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $35,000	Between $19,000 And $33,000
Highest paying City	Lake Oswego, OR	Spokane Valley, WA
Highest paying state	Washington	Washington
Best paying company	Illinois Institute of Technology	Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Best paying industry	Government	Finance

Differences between receptionist secretary and switchboard operator, receptionist education

There are a few differences between a receptionist secretary and a switchboard operator, receptionist in terms of educational background:

	Receptionist Secretary	Switchboard Operator, Receptionist
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 37%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Receptionist secretary vs switchboard operator, receptionist demographics

Here are the differences between receptionist secretaries' and switchboard operators, receptionist' demographics:

	Receptionist Secretary	Switchboard Operator, Receptionist
Average age	42	53
Gender ratio	Male, 5.6% Female, 94.4%	Male, 5.8% Female, 94.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 21.1% Asian, 6.3% White, 56.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 14.6% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 3.8% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	19%

Differences between receptionist secretary and switchboard operator, receptionist duties and responsibilities

Receptionist secretary example 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.

Switchboard operator, receptionist example responsibilities.

Assist office management and staff with administrative projects/responsibilities such as managing time-sensitive projects, filing, copying, and collating materials.
Operate an antique PBX switchboard, in charge of petty cash and responsible for receipt of incoming funds.
Operate PBX switchboard and develop procedure manuals to ensure consistency.
Assist office management and staff with administrative projects/responsibilities such as managing time-sensitive projects, filing, copying, and collating materials.
Answer switchboard calls; utilizing effective communication and listening skills.
Serve as face-of- company while receiving in-person visitors and directing incoming calls via switchboard.

Receptionist secretary vs switchboard operator, receptionist skills

Common receptionist secretary skills

Patients, 15%
Data Entry, 12%
Phone Calls, 11%
Customer Service, 9%
Telephone Calls, 8%
Appointment Scheduling, 7%

Common switchboard operator, receptionist skills

Greeting Visitors, 16%
Data Entry, 13%
Customer Service, 12%
Front Desk, 7%
Scheduling Appointments, 5%
Telephone Calls, 4%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Receptionist Secretary
Receptionist Secretary vs Switchboard Operator, Receptionist

Updated January 8, 2025

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