Occupation salary profile

Receptionists and Information Clerks

SOC 43-4171 BLS OEWS May 2025

Answer inquiries and provide information to the general public, customers, visitors, and other interested parties regarding activities conducted at establishment and location of departments, offices, and employees within the organization. Excludes “Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service” (43-2011).

National median · BLS
$38,010
▲ +2.1% YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$39,460
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
910,180
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Receptionists and Information Clerks

Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.

Percentile All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay$28,760
25th$33,960
Median (50th)$38,010
75th$45,130
90th — top pay$49,950

Hourly ⇄ annual pay

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Based on hrs/week × weeks/year = 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035

Job outlook for Receptionists and Information Clerks

BLS projects employment of receptionists and information clerks to decline 1.7% from 2025 to 2035, while employment across all occupations grows 3.5%. About 105,100 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.

Jobs 2025 → 2035
947,500 → 931,600
-16,000 jobs
Projected change
-1.7%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
105,100
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
Self-employed
0.7% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 2)
Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Fastest-declining jobs → Best-paying jobs that need a high school diploma →

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–2035 · BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook →

Skills & tools

Skills needed for Receptionists and Information Clerks

How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.

Top skills
  • Speaking3.9
  • Active Listening3.8
  • Service Orientation3.6
  • Critical Thinking3.1
  • Reading Comprehension3.1
  • Social Perceptiveness3.1
  • Coordination3.0
  • Writing3.0
  • Monitoring2.9
  • Time Management2.9
Top knowledge areas
  • Customer and Personal Service4.2
  • Administrative3.9
  • English Language3.7
  • Computers and Electronics3.4
  • Mathematics2.7
  • Public Safety and Security2.7
  • Administration and Management2.7
  • Telecommunications2.7
Software and technology used
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordGoogle DocsIntuit QuickBooksMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Windows3M Post-it AppAlpha Software Alpha FiveAppointment scheduling softwareAutomated information system softwareBilling softwareBlackbaud The Raiser's EdgeBookkeeping softwareClaim processing system softwareCorel WordPerfect Office SuiteData entry software

Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

About the job

What receptionists and information clerks do

  • Operate telephone switchboard to answer, screen, or forward calls, providing information, taking messages, or scheduling appointments.
  • Greet persons entering establishment, determine nature and purpose of visit, and direct or escort them to specific destinations.
  • Receive payment and record receipts for services.
  • Schedule appointments and maintain and update appointment calendars.
  • Transmit information or documents to customers, using computer, mail, or facsimile machine.
  • Hear and resolve complaints from customers or the public.
  • File and maintain records.
  • Provide information about establishment, such as location of departments or offices, employees within the organization, or services provided.
Also called
Front Desk ReceptionistGreeterOffice AssistantReceptionistClerk SpecialistInformation Assistant (Info Assistant)Medical ReceptionistMember Services Representative (Member Services Rep)Registration ClerkScheduler
More job titles for this occupation (50)
Appointment ClerkAppointment SchedulerAppointment SetterAutomobile Club Information Clerk (Auto Club Info Clerk)Bilingual ReceptionistCall Center AgentCall Center OperatorCall Center Representative (Call Center Rep)Call TakerClinic ReceptionistCustomer Care Representative (CCR)Dental ReceptionistER Clerk (Emergency Room Clerk)Front Desk AssociateFront Desk ClerkFront Desk OfficerFront Office ReceptionistGuard Entrance RegistrarHospital ReceptionistHospitality AideIn File OperatorInformation Receptionist (Info Receptionist)Land Leasing ExaminerLand Leasing Information Clerk (Land Leasing Info Clerk)Legal ReceptionistMedical Office ReceptionistMedical SchedulerOutpatient ClerkPay Station AttendantPeople GreeterPolicyholder Information Clerk (Policyholder Info Clerk)QuoterReferral and Information Aide (Referral and Info Aide)Referral CoordinatorRegister ClerkRegistrarResearch ClerkSalon ReceptionistSchedule AnnouncerSpa ReceptionistSpace SchedulerTelephone AnswererTelephone Appointment ClerkTelephone ClerkTelephone Information Clerk (Telephone Info Clerk)Telephone OperatorTelephone Operator ReceptionistTelephone Quotation ClerkTourist Information Assistant (Tourist Info Assistant)Utility Clerk

Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.