Working at the front desk in a variety of companies, receptionists use their customer service and clerical skills to assist visitors and staff. Although job duties can vary by organization, this position generally requires answering phone calls, using computer applications and office equipment, managing appointments and schedules, and welcoming guests. There are many factors that determine the average wage for a receptionist per hour. In addition to how much work experience you have, your location and type of work setting make the average receptionist salary vary. Of the top employers, hourly wages for receptionists at dental and doctors’ offices tend to be higher than at other types of offices.
the average annual pay for a Receptionist in California is $28,927 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $13.91 an hour. This is the equivalent of $556/week or $2,411/month.
While is seeing salaries as high as $43,704 and as low as $16,389, the majority of Receptionist salaries currently range between $24,831 (25th percentile) to $33,274 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $39,234 annually in California.
The average pay range for a Receptionist varies greatly (as much as $8,443), which suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location and years of experience.
Based on recent job posting activity on the Receptionist job market in California is not very active as few companies are currently hiring.
California ranks number 16 out of 50 states nationwide for Receptionist salaries.
Job Description
Receptionists provide customer service to those who visit or contact the organization, and they also help staff with clerical tasks. They greet and check in visitors, handle phone calls, respond to email, manage appointments and keep staff informed as to who comes into the business or who needs assistance. They often work with computers, copiers and other office equipment so that they can type documents, make copies, update customer information and work with digital calendars. Having a friendly personality and strong customer service skills are crucial for making visitors feel welcomed and to help calm down frustrated callers. Since they often multitask, receptionists need good organizational skills to keep up with their duties.
Education Requirements
To get started working as a receptionist, you usually need only a high school diploma and some experience using office software, such as Microsoft Office. Although you can learn on your own, you can also find formal courses at community centers or libraries and colleges. These courses show you how to use common office applications. Your employer will provide the majority of your training, so that you will become acquainted with company policies, office equipment and any specialized software the office uses. Having basic customer service skills from previous experience or training can also be advantageous.
Industry
About 45 percent of receptionists work in health care facilities such as dental offices, doctor’s offices and medical specialists’ offices. Other common industries include professional services firms, administrative support services, personal care services and nonprofit organizations. Much of their work happens at a front desk where they help customers and perform job assignments for staff. Receptionists can work part time or full time, and working hours can vary by workplace. For example, you might work traditional weekday business hours at a finance company, while a health care facility may request weekend or evening work.
Years of Experience and Salary
As of May 2017, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that the average receptionist salary is $29,640 annually, or $14.25 hourly. The lowest-paid 10 percent of receptionists make under $20,080 annually, or $9.65 hourly. In comparison, the top-earning 10 percent make more than double the lowest earners – over $40,880 annually, or $19.65 hourly. The average wage for a receptionist per hour varies based on work setting too. For example, average hourly wages for doctors’ offices, dentists’ offices and personal care services are $14.74, $16.71 and $11.72, respectively. Location plays a factor as well, with the average pay rate in California being $15.68 an hour compared to $12.33 in Alabama.
Receptionists also earn different hourly wages depending on their work experience. As of July 2018, PayScale reports the following hourly rate ranges for receptionists at different experience levels:
- 0 to 5 years: $9.19 – $15.49
- 5 to 10 years: $9.96 – $16.98
- 10 to 20 years: $10.10 – $18.14
- 20 or more years: $10.19 – $18.62
Job Growth Trend
Based on BLS data, an average rate of job growth, 9 percent, is expected for receptionists between 2016 and 2026. This large occupation had over one million employed in 2016, and this number is expected to grow by 95,500 by 2026. The best job prospects are in the health care industry, since other types of companies use technology to handle many of the tasks that receptionist typically perform. Turnover will still lead to open receptionist positions across various industries.
What are Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Receptionist Jobs in California
We’ve identified 10 cities where the typical salary for a Receptionist job is above the average in California. Topping the list is Dublin, with Newark and Palo Alto close behind in second and third. Palo Alto beats the California average by 25.5%, and Dublin furthers that trend with another $8,209 (28.4%) above the $28,927.
With these 10 cities paying on average above the average for California, the opportunities for economic advancement by changing locations as a Receptionist appears to be exceedingly fruitful.
Finally, another factor to consider is the average salary for these top 10 cities varies very little at 10% between Dublin and Richmond, reinforcing the limited potential for much wage advancement. The possibility of a lower cost of living may be the best factor to use when considering location and salary for a Receptionist role.
| City | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin | $37,137 | $3,095 | $714 | $17.85 |
| Newark | $37,030 | $3,086 | $712 | $17.80 |
| Palo Alto | $36,292 | $3,024 | $698 | $17.45 |
| San Mateo | $35,844 | $2,987 | $689 | $17.23 |
| Daly City | $35,204 | $2,934 | $677 | $16.93 |
| Berkeley | $35,184 | $2,932 | $677 | $16.92 |
| Santa Monica | $35,090 | $2,924 | $675 | $16.87 |
| Irvine | $34,056 | $2,838 | $655 | $16.37 |
| Rialto | $33,743 | $2,812 | $649 | $16.22 |
| Richmond | $33,596 | $2,800 | $646 | $16.15 |
What are Top 5 Best Paying Related Receptionist Jobs in California
We found at least 5 jobs related to the Receptionist job category that pay more per year than a typical Receptionist salary in California. Top examples of these roles include: Travel Receptionist, Psychologist Receptionist, and Architecture Receptionist.
Importantly, all of these jobs are paid between $28,494 (98.5%) and $42,343 (146.4%) more than the average Receptionist salary of $28,927. If you’re qualified, getting hired for one of these related Receptionist jobs may help you make more money than that of the average Receptionist position.
| Job Title | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Receptionist | $71,270 | $5,939 | $1,371 | $34.26 |
| Psychologist Receptionist | $67,716 | $5,643 | $1,302 | $32.56 |
| Architecture Receptionist | $65,584 | $5,465 | $1,261 | $31.53 |
| Work From Home Marketing Receptionist | $61,020 | $5,085 | $1,173 | $29.34 |
| Cyitechsearch | $57,421 | $4,785 | $1,104 | $27.61 |
Conclusion
oft skills are not quantifiable but just as important. The jobs website Indeed includes dependability, adaptability, willingness to learn and the ability to work as a team member among soft skills desirable to employers. Think of these as personality traits. Another essential trait is discretion. Protect the confidentiality of information you might learn during the performance of your duties. Do not repeat gossip or become embroiled in office personality conflicts.
