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Service representative vs receptionist/customer service

The differences between service representatives and receptionist/customer services can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a service representative and a receptionist/customer service. Additionally, a service representative has an average salary of $33,692, which is higher than the $30,604 average annual salary of a receptionist/customer service.

The top three skills for a service representative include customer service, client service and patients. The most important skills for a receptionist/customer service are customer service, phone calls, and data entry.

Service representative vs receptionist/customer service overview

Service RepresentativeReceptionist/Customer Service
Yearly salary$33,692$30,604
Hourly rate$16.20$14.71
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs210,671216,587
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%High School Diploma, 35%
Average age4040
Years of experience1212

What does a service representative do?

Service representatives handle customer inquiries, requests, complaints, and other general feedback. They are usually the first point of contact with the company's customers. Service representatives are expected to be familiar with all of the company's products so that they can answer all inquiries made by the customers. They should also be familiar with company policies and guidelines on sales and customer handling so that they can address concerns and feedback. They are usually the ones who try to resolve customer complaints by sending issues to applicable departments and ensuring that customers are satisfied with the company's products and services.

What does a receptionist/customer service do?

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 representative vs receptionist/customer service salary

Service representatives and receptionist/customer services have different pay scales, as shown below.

Service RepresentativeReceptionist/Customer Service
Average salary$33,692$30,604
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $45,000Between $25,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYBillerica, MA
Highest paying stateNew YorkMinnesota
Best paying companyNorthern TrustUline
Best paying industryGovernmentManufacturing

Differences between service representative and receptionist/customer service education

There are a few differences between a service representative and a receptionist/customer service in terms of educational background:

Service RepresentativeReceptionist/Customer Service
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%High School Diploma, 35%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Service representative vs receptionist/customer service demographics

Here are the differences between service representatives' and receptionist/customer services' demographics:

Service RepresentativeReceptionist/Customer Service
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 39.6% Female, 60.4%Male, 8.0% Female, 92.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 6.8% White, 55.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%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 Percentage7%7%

Differences between service representative and receptionist/customer service duties and responsibilities

Service representative example responsibilities.

  • Utilize QuickBooks to manage patient's payment for hearing aids and various equipment.
  • Join online marketplace specializing in local deals to manage customer engagements while providing industry-best service.
  • Manage customer relations with internal personnel, group administrators, brokers and members as related to Medicare insurance.
  • Involve great interpersonal skills and upselling.
  • Provide excellent customer service via ZenDesk e-mail platform.
  • Counsele individuals who are applying for or receiving TANF.
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Receptionist/customer service example responsibilities.

  • Assist office management and staff with administrative projects/responsibilities such as managing time-sensitive projects, filing, copying, and collating materials.
  • Assist office management and staff with administrative projects/responsibilities such as managing time-sensitive projects, filing, copying, and collating materials.
  • Bill and collect from private pay, Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance companies.
  • Doctor authorization for treatments, understanding of Medicare and Medicaid, prior authorizations (if need).
  • Resolve problems with the buyers concerning invoices that do not match in the AS400 system.
  • Receive and apply checks into AS400 accounting database and scan checks into bank, on a daily basis.
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Service representative vs receptionist/customer service skills

Common service representative skills
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Client Service, 8%
  • Patients, 7%
  • PET, 5%
  • Front Desk, 5%
  • Veterans, 5%
Common receptionist/customer service skills
  • Customer Service, 16%
  • Phone Calls, 15%
  • Data Entry, 14%
  • Telephone Calls, 8%
  • Front Desk, 8%
  • Scheduling Appointments, 8%

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