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Service writer vs receptionist/customer service

The differences between service writers 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 writer and a receptionist/customer service. Additionally, a service writer has an average salary of $39,016, which is higher than the $30,604 average annual salary of a receptionist/customer service.

The top three skills for a service writer include customer service, repair orders and warranty claims. The most important skills for a receptionist/customer service are customer service, phone calls, and data entry.

Service writer vs receptionist/customer service overview

Service WriterReceptionist/Customer Service
Yearly salary$39,016$30,604
Hourly rate$18.76$14.71
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs163,441216,587
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 33%High School Diploma, 35%
Average age4040
Years of experience1212

What does a service writer do?

A service writer is an employee who acts as an informative middleman between a business owner and its customers in the automotive sector. To develop this relationship, service writers must provide successful management of product or service delivery to their customers. Service writers must correctly manage their scheduled appointments to avoid overwhelming their mechanics with incoming vehicular repairs while monitoring the service progress to avoid delivery delays. They must also know how to encode customer profile information into the computer system.

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 writer vs receptionist/customer service salary

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

Service WriterReceptionist/Customer Service
Average salary$39,016$30,604
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $61,000Between $25,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CityCollege Park, MDBillerica, MA
Highest paying stateMarylandMinnesota
Best paying companyAmerican Institute of PhysicsUline
Best paying industryManufacturingManufacturing

Differences between service writer and receptionist/customer service education

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

Service WriterReceptionist/Customer Service
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 33%High School Diploma, 35%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Service writer vs receptionist/customer service demographics

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

Service WriterReceptionist/Customer Service
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 62.7% Female, 37.3%Male, 8.0% Female, 92.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 5.8% White, 59.2% 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 writer and receptionist/customer service duties and responsibilities

Service writer example responsibilities.

  • Achieve certification in service writer sales (upselling )
  • Used SQL queries to report, analyze, and manage the ongoing Y2K research progress.
  • Prioritize and schedule service to residential customers for both HVAC and preventative maintenance.
  • Notify drivers via radio, cell phones, or GPS system.
  • Utilize GPS equipment and location to guide service technicians to service location.
  • Contact drivers for eta's, troubleshooting delivery issues, contact customers, reset orders.
  • Show more

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 writer vs receptionist/customer service skills

Common service writer skills
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Repair Orders, 12%
  • Warranty Claims, 7%
  • Cleanliness, 7%
  • Parts Inventory, 7%
  • Schedule Appointments, 7%
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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