As a business owner and recruiter, I get asked quite often about the average salary for a receptionist. I’ve put together an article to help guide you through this question.
The average salary for a receptionist is $32,000 annually.
Average salary for a receptionist
You’re a receptionist, so you know it’s the best job on Earth. (*wink*) It’s also kinda fun, and people seem to like you—even if they do sometimes complain about having to wait for an appointment or how long their coffee takes to make. But hey, you’ll take the attention, and the money isn’t half bad either. So how much does a receptionist make?
Who’s a receptionist?
You may have heard the term “receptionist” before, but you might still be wondering what exactly this job is. The simple answer is that a receptionist is someone who welcomes visitors and handles their requests. They also deal with incoming phone calls and email inquiries, often providing answers or forwarding them to the appropriate person within the company. For example, if an employee’s work station isn’t visible from where visitors are greeted by the front desk, they may ask a receptionist to locate them for them.
Let’s go over some basic details about how much money you can expect to make as a receptionist:
- Average yearly salary: $28,000 – $48,000 (depending on location)
Salary by location
The average salary for a receptionist varies by location. The following is a list of typical salaries for receptionists, broken down by metropolitan area:
- New York City and surrounding areas: $36,000+
- Los Angeles and surrounding areas: $25,000+
- Chicago and surrounding areas: $35,000+
- Dallas/Ft. Worth area: $28,000+
Additionally, you can use our salary calculator to find out what you might expect to earn in your area or any other job of your choosing.
Salary by industry
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a receptionist is $38,960 per year. However, there are several factors that may affect your pay as a receptionist. Here’s what the BLS has to say about the difference between industries:
- Healthcare: $40,000
- Government: $32,000
- Finance and insurance: $37,578
- Information technology: $40,000
- Education: $33-$36 (median)
Negotiating your salary
Before you accept an offer, it’s important to know your value. You should be prepared to walk away if the offer is too low. The job market is competitive and salaries often depend on what the company or industry can afford for a position.
Once you’ve accepted your new job and started working there, you will want to negotiate salary increases and benefits as soon as possible—and if possible, before even starting work! Negotiating isn’t something everyone is comfortable with doing but it can be rewarding when everything works out in your favor. It helps us feel like we have more control over our lives; knowing we asked for something that would make our lives better gives us confidence moving forward in our careers
Entry-level receptionists make about $15 per hour, but salaries can go up to $45,000 per year.
- Entry-level receptionists make about $15 per hour, but salaries can go up to $45,000 per year.
- The highest paying industries are high-tech and finance, with some entry-level workers making $12 or more per hour.
- If your company is hiring or growing rapidly and/or hiring other positions in the same field as a receptionist, you may be able to negotiate a higher salary than average for your position.
Conclusion
We hope this article has been helpful in understanding what to expect when it comes to salary data for receptionists. We know there are a lot of factors that go into determining your paycheck, so whether you’re looking for a job or just curious about average pay rates in your area, we hope you’ve learned something useful!
