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The differences between service operators and receptionist/customer services can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a service operator, becoming a receptionist/customer service takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a service operator has an average salary of $36,971, which is higher than the $30,604 average annual salary of a receptionist/customer service.
The top three skills for a service operator include customer service, food handling and emergency calls. The most important skills for a receptionist/customer service are customer service, phone calls, and data entry.
| Service Operator | Receptionist/Customer Service | |
| Yearly salary | $36,971 | $30,604 |
| Hourly rate | $17.77 | $14.71 |
| Growth rate | -4% | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 87,078 | 216,587 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 34% | High School Diploma, 35% |
| Average age | 53 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
A service operator is responsible for providing the best customer service by responding to the callers' inquiries and concerns, depending on which business they are employed. Service operators process callers' requests by directing them to specific resources or coordinate with the appropriate person to resolve callers' issues. They also keep an organized record of resolutions for the business reference, as well as for immediate callbacks as needed. A service operator must have excellent knowledge of the industry they are working for, as well as impeccable communication skills to verify and address the callers' needs.
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.
Service operators and receptionist/customer services have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Service Operator | Receptionist/Customer Service | |
| Average salary | $36,971 | $30,604 |
| Salary range | Between $19,000 And $71,000 | Between $25,000 And $37,000 |
| Highest paying City | Mountain View, CA | Billerica, MA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Minnesota |
| Best paying company | Uline | |
| Best paying industry | - | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a service operator and a receptionist/customer service in terms of educational background:
| Service Operator | Receptionist/Customer Service | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 34% | High School Diploma, 35% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between service operators' and receptionist/customer services' demographics:
| Service Operator | Receptionist/Customer Service | |
| Average age | 53 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 50.1% Female, 49.9% | Male, 8.0% Female, 92.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 14.2% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 3.5% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 19% | 7% |