A receptionist is the first person visitors and callers meet. Receptionists answer phones, greet and direct visitors, schedule appointments, handle mail and records and make a strong first impression for the organization. Most start with a high school diploma and a few days to a month of on-the-job training.
This guide explains what receptionists do each day, the skills and requirements employers expect, what the work is like, what receptionists earn and how to get hired in the United States.
All numbers come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET unless noted.
Quick jump: Daily dutiesSkillsRequirementsQualificationsWork environmentSalaryOutlookCareer pathHow to get hiredJob facts
Receptionist Daily Duties and Responsibilities
Duties change by employer. Hospital and doctor’s office receptionists may collect patient information, and some handle billing, while large organizations may add a security role such as issuing visitor passes. Most days follow the same pattern: open, greet, answer, schedule and close.
| Part of the day | Typical duties |
|---|---|
| Start of day | Open the front desk, check messages, voicemail and the day’s appointment calendar and tidy the reception area |
| Greeting visitors | Greet and check in visitors, direct or escort them and give information about the organization, departments and services |
| Phones | Operate the telephone switchboard to answer, screen and forward calls and take messages |
| Scheduling | Schedule appointments, maintain calendars and keep track of staff availability |
| Records and mail | Enter customer information into databases, file documents and sort and distribute mail, messages and deliveries |
| Payments and questions | Receive payment and record receipts where the role calls for it, and hear and resolve complaints |
| End of day | Update records, confirm tomorrow’s appointments and secure the front desk |
Here is the full list of receptionist duties and responsibilities, based on the BLS and O*NET:
| Duty | What it means on the job |
|---|---|
| Answer phones | Operate the telephone switchboard to answer, screen or forward calls and take messages |
| Greet visitors | Greet people entering the establishment and direct or escort them |
| Check in visitors | Check in visitors and, in some organizations, issue visitor passes |
| Schedule appointments | Schedule appointments and maintain appointment calendars |
| Give information | Provide information about the establishment, departments, employees or services |
| Resolve complaints | Hear and resolve complaints from customers or the public |
| Handle payments | Receive payment and record receipts for services where the role calls for it |
| Keep records | Enter and update contact databases, file and maintain records |
| Manage mail | Collect, sort, distribute or prepare mail, messages and deliveries |
| Prepare documents | Transmit information or documents to customers and prepare memos or correspondence |
| Keep the lobby ready | Maintain the lobby or reception area |
| Support the office | Perform administrative support tasks and keep a current record of staff whereabouts |
Receptionist Skills
Employers look for a mix of practical skills you can learn quickly and people skills that show in every greeting.
Hard skills
| Skill | How you use it |
|---|---|
| Phone systems and call handling | Answering, screening and forwarding calls on a switchboard or phone system |
| Microsoft Office | Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint; O*NET lists Word, Outlook, Office and Excel as in demand |
| Scheduling and calendars | Booking appointments and keeping calendars accurate |
| Data entry and records | Entering contact information and keeping records current |
| Payment handling | Receiving payments and recording receipts; O*NET lists QuickBooks among hot technologies |
| Word processing | Typing correspondence, memos and notices |
Soft skills
| Quality | What the BLS says |
|---|---|
| Communication | Speak clearly and politely with visitors and callers |
| Computer skills | Use office, phone and scheduling software with ease |
| Customer-service skills | Welcome every visitor and resolve problems with care |
| Integrity | Handle visitor, patient and company information responsibly |
| Interpersonal skills | Work well with visitors, staff and managers |
| Organizational skills | Keep schedules, messages and records in order |
O*NET also lists social perceptiveness, coordination and time management as transferable skills.
Receptionist Position Requirements
| Requirement | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Education | A high school diploma or equivalent |
| Training | Short-term on-the-job training, from a few days up to a month |
| Experience | None required |
| Computer skills | Word processing and spreadsheet skills can help |
| Communication | Good speaking and listening skills |
| Availability | Most work full time; those in hospitals and nursing homes often work evenings and weekends |
Requirements vary by employer and industry, so read each posting closely before you apply.
Receptionist Qualifications
Requirements are the minimum to apply. Qualifications are what make a candidate stand out.
| Qualification | What employers look for |
|---|---|
| Minimum qualifications | A high school diploma or equivalent, a professional manner and good communication skills |
| Preferred experience | Prior front desk, customer service or office experience |
| Industry knowledge | Healthcare, hotel or professional office experience, depending on the employer |
| Software skills | Microsoft Office, Outlook, scheduling and database software, and word processing |
| Customer service record | Examples of welcoming visitors and solving problems calmly |
| Core abilities | Communication, computer, customer-service, integrity, interpersonal and organizational skills |
Receptionist Work Environment
| Work condition | What receptionists report |
|---|---|
| Telephone | 100% say they talk on the telephone every day (O*NET) |
| Contact with others | 88% say they have constant contact with others, and 77% have face-to-face discussions every day (O*NET) |
| Public contact | 73% say dealing with external customers or the public is extremely important (O*NET) |
| Decisions | 88% say they make decisions every day (O*NET) |
| Difficult visitors | 32% deal with unpleasant or angry people every day, and 47% monthly or more (O*NET) |
| Sitting | 50% say they sit continually or almost continually (O*NET) |
| Work week | 63% say a typical week is 40 hours, and 35% say it is less than 40 hours (O*NET) |
| Setting and stress | Receptionists usually work at visible front desks in lobbies or waiting rooms, and the work can be stressful with many calls or difficult visitors (BLS) |
Most receptionists work full time, and those in hospitals and nursing homes often work evenings and weekends.
Where receptionists work
| Industry | Share of receptionist jobs | Median hourly salary (May 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare and social assistance | 42% | $19.00 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 11% | $18.56 |
| Personal care services | 7% | $16.57 |
| Fitness and recreational sports centers | 6% | $15.00 |
Receptionist Salary
The BLS reports a May 2025 median salary of $38,010 a year, or $18.27 an hour, compared with $24.51 an hour for all occupations and $21.09 for information and record clerks. The lowest 10% earned less than $13.83 an hour and the highest 10% earned more than $24.01. Healthcare and professional services have higher median salaries than personal care services and fitness centers, and your salary depends on your employer, industry, state and experience.
Receptionist Job Outlook
The BLS projects employment of receptionists to decline 2% from 2025 to 2035, about 16,000 jobs, while all occupations are projected to grow 3%. It says employment is held back as organizations automate or consolidate administrative work and use software, websites and mobile apps to interact with the public. About 105,100 openings are still projected each year, all from workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the workforce. Customer service and computer skills help you stand out.
Receptionist Career Path
The BLS says receptionists may advance to secretary or administrative assistant roles. O*NET lists related job titles such as front desk receptionist, medical receptionist, greeter, office assistant, registration clerk and scheduler.
Receptionist experience also connects to other careers:
| Related job | Typical entry education | Median salary (May 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Customer service representatives | High school diploma | $44,770 |
| General office clerks | High school diploma | $45,010 |
| Tellers | High school diploma | $43,030 |
| Secretaries and administrative assistants | High school diploma | $48,310 |
How to Get a Receptionist Job
- Finish high school or an equivalent. It is the typical minimum.
- Build your computer skills. Practice word processing, spreadsheets and email.
- Choose an industry. Healthcare, professional offices, salons, fitness centers and hotels all hire receptionists.
- Practice your phone and greeting skills. A warm, clear first impression matters.
- Apply and show your strengths. Highlight communication, reliability and organization in your application.
Is this job right for you?
- Do you enjoy meeting and helping people all day?
- Can you stay calm and polite when the phones are busy?
- Are you comfortable with computers and scheduling software?
- Do you keep details organized?
- Can you handle difficult visitors with patience?
Receptionist Job Facts at a Glance
| Quick fact | What to know |
|---|---|
| What receptionists do | Answer phones, greet and direct visitors, schedule appointments, handle mail and records and make a good first impression |
| Median salary (May 2025) | $38,010 a year, or $18.27 an hour |
| Jobs in 2025 | About 947,500 |
| Job outlook, 2025 to 2035 | 2% decline; about 105,100 openings a year from replacement needs |
| Education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training | Short-term on the job, from a few days up to a month |
| Experience | None required |
| Key tools | Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and Office, plus phone, scheduling and database software |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a receptionist do?
Receptionists answer phones, greet and check in visitors, schedule appointments, enter customer information, file documents and handle correspondence, according to the BLS. They are often an organization’s first point of contact.
What are the main duties of a receptionist?
Answering and forwarding calls, greeting and directing visitors, scheduling appointments, giving information, handling mail and messages, keeping records and, in some jobs, receiving payments.
What skills does a receptionist need?
The BLS lists communication, computer, customer-service, integrity, interpersonal and organizational skills. O*NET adds speaking, active listening, critical thinking and service orientation.
What education do you need to be a receptionist?
A high school diploma or equivalent and good communication skills, according to the BLS. Word processing and spreadsheet skills can help.
Do you need experience to be a receptionist?
No. The BLS lists no related work experience and short-term on-the-job training that lasts from a few days up to a month.
How much do receptionists make?
The BLS reports a May 2025 median salary of $38,010 a year, or $18.27 an hour. The lowest 10% earned less than $13.83 an hour and the highest 10% earned more than $24.01.
Where do receptionists work?
Healthcare and social assistance employs 42%, professional, scientific and technical services 11%, personal care services 7% and fitness and recreational sports centers 6%, according to the BLS.
Is being a receptionist stressful?
It can be. The BLS says the work can be stressful with many calls or difficult visitors, and O*NET reports that 32% deal with unpleasant or angry people every day.
Can a receptionist advance?
The BLS says receptionists may advance to secretary or administrative assistant roles.
What is the job outlook for receptionists?
The BLS projects a 2% decline from 2025 to 2035, about 16,000 jobs, as organizations automate or consolidate administrative work. About 105,100 openings a year are still projected, all from workers who transfer or leave the workforce.
Conclusion
A receptionist greets visitors, answers phones, schedules appointments, handles mail and records and gives every visitor a strong first impression. The job needs a high school diploma, a short period of training and strong communication, computer and customer service skills. If you are ready to apply, use the resources below to prepare.
Related Reading
- Receptionist cover letter samples
- Front desk receptionist cover letter sample
- Front office receptionist resume summary examples
- Hotel receptionist interview questions and answers
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Receptionists. O*NET OnLine, 43-4171.00 Receptionists and Information Clerks. Requirements vary by employer and industry; check the posting before you apply.