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Telephone clerk vs desk receptionist

The differences between telephone clerks and desk receptionists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a telephone clerk and a desk receptionist. Additionally, a telephone clerk has an average salary of $34,549, which is higher than the $32,434 average annual salary of a desk receptionist.

The top three skills for a telephone clerk include customer service, inbound calls and computer system. The most important skills for a desk receptionist are scheduling appointments, customer service, and front desk.

Telephone clerk vs desk receptionist overview

Telephone ClerkDesk Receptionist
Yearly salary$34,549$32,434
Hourly rate$16.61$15.59
Growth rate--
Number of jobs66,73841,301
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 32%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Telephone clerk vs desk receptionist salary

Telephone clerks and desk receptionists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Telephone ClerkDesk Receptionist
Average salary$34,549$32,434
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $49,000Between $25,000 And $41,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between telephone clerk and desk receptionist education

There are a few differences between a telephone clerk and a desk receptionist in terms of educational background:

Telephone ClerkDesk Receptionist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 32%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorPsychologyBusiness
Most common college--

Telephone clerk vs desk receptionist demographics

Here are the differences between telephone clerks' and desk receptionists' demographics:

Telephone ClerkDesk Receptionist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 32.6% Female, 67.4%Male, 25.5% Female, 74.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 6.4% White, 56.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 6.7% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between telephone clerk and desk receptionist duties and responsibilities

Telephone clerk example responsibilities.

  • Manage booking and statistical spreadsheets for mammography and cervical cancer screening outreach care projects.
  • Contact clients to verify directions to delivery location and enter information into AS400 database for drivers.
  • Assist patients with alternative insurance options; providing them with information regarding benefits and assisting them with processing their paperwork.
  • Perform auto body repairs and troubleshot mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical problems utilizing computerize diagnostic equipment.

Desk receptionist 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.
  • Document and identify doctors' availability and schedule appointments utilizing AVImark scheduling software.

Telephone clerk vs desk receptionist skills

Common telephone clerk skills
  • Customer Service, 39%
  • Inbound Calls, 17%
  • Computer System, 13%
  • Customer Calls, 12%
  • Transferring Calls, 11%
  • Telephone Calls, 8%
Common desk receptionist skills
  • Scheduling Appointments, 24%
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Front Desk, 15%
  • Check-In, 10%
  • Emergency Situations, 4%
  • Office Equipment, 4%

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