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The differences between typists and office receptionists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a typist, becoming an office receptionist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an office receptionist has an average salary of $33,554, which is higher than the $32,143 average annual salary of a typist.
The top three skills for a typist include data entry, WPM and real estate. The most important skills for an office receptionist are patients, customer service, and phone calls.
| Typist | Office Receptionist | |
| Yearly salary | $32,143 | $33,554 |
| Hourly rate | $15.45 | $16.13 |
| Growth rate | -5% | - |
| Number of jobs | 34,028 | 80,143 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 30% | Bachelor's Degree, 36% |
| Average age | 50 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
A typist is responsible for typing all of a company's documents and materials, including reports, policies, and correspondence. A typist may also be known as a word processor or copy clerk. They are a professional who may work for companies or individuals. Their job responsibilities may include typing up letters, filling out forms, creating transcriptions of audio recordings, or organizing documents. They may also have to answer phones.
An office receptionist, or administrative assistant, performs various administrative tasks for an organization. These tasks may include answering phone calls, providing the public and customers with information, and warmly welcoming, greeting, and directing visitors or guests accordingly. Additionally, an office receptionist is responsible for maintaining security by issuing visitor badges, monitoring logbooks, and following procedures. Administrative assistants are also responsible for preparing and processing travel vouchers and other documents. Some employers prefer someone with a college or bachelor's degree, telephone skills, and excellent communication skills.
Typists and office receptionists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Typist | Office Receptionist | |
| Average salary | $32,143 | $33,554 |
| Salary range | Between $21,000 And $48,000 | Between $27,000 And $41,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Minneapolis, MN |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES | Dairy Farmers of America |
| Best paying industry | Government | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a typist and an office receptionist in terms of educational background:
| Typist | Office Receptionist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 30% | Bachelor's Degree, 36% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between typists' and office receptionists' demographics:
| Typist | Office Receptionist | |
| Average age | 50 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 11.2% Female, 88.8% | Male, 9.5% Female, 90.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 10.7% Asian, 4.7% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 22.6% Asian, 6.4% White, 55.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 6% |